For a long time it was unclear whether 1. FC Saarbrücken’s home game against FC Bayern Munich could take place in the DFB Cup. Now referee Frank Willenborg has made a decision.
During an inspection of the square on Wednesday (November 1st, 2023) Willenborg found the pitch in the Ludwigpark in Saarbrücken to be in a condition that, in his opinion, made a DFB Cup game possible. This means the game can kick off today at 8:45 p.m. (live on TV and stream on Sportschau from 8:15 p.m.).
At the weekend, Saarbrücken’s third division game against Dynamo Dresden was canceled after the first half due to heavy rain. The pitch was no longer playable. The club then initiated measures in collaboration with the city to restore playability in a timely manner. Apparently in good time.
The city of Saarbrücken had already announced the measures it had taken on Tuesday “on the playability of the pitch in the Ludwigsparkstadion” would have “Effect demonstrated”. Referee Willenborg also came to this conclusion.
Rescheduling the game is hardly possible
In Saarbrücken they sold 16,003 tickets for the game and the stadium is sold out. Rescheduling the game would not only have been difficult because the round of 16 in the DFB Cup will be played at the beginning of December.
Bayern’s schedule is so tight up until then that it would have been difficult to find an alternative date.