DFB-Pokal: Bochum makes it to the quarter-finals and BVB are eliminated

DFB-Pokal
Bochum kicked into the quarter-finals with a dream goal and St. Pauli celebrated a coup against Dortmund

Erling Haaland retreated to the dressing room, furious, while 2,000 fans in Hamburg’s Millerntor Stadium celebrated the super coup against the defending champion. Borussia Dortmund had to say goodbye to the second division leaders FC St. Pauli in the round of 16 of the DFB Cup after a poor performance. Hamburg, on the other hand, deservedly won 2-1 (2-0) against BVB coached by Marco Rose, who is well behind FC Bayern, who have already been eliminated in the cup, in the Bundesliga thanks to a strong performance on Tuesday evening.

“Today was a bad day, we just woke up too late,” said Marco Reus on the ARD microphone. “St. Pauli did well, but it’s very bitter for us that we’re out. We have to let that sink in first. In any case, we missed a huge opportunity to win the cup again.”

“It was a tough game”

Etienne Amenyido (4th minute) and Dortmund’s Axel Witsel (40th/own goal) scored for the Kiezclub, which bagged the 1.004 million euro premium and for which the next highlight at HSV in the 2nd division is on Friday. The Hamburg city derby could be repeated in the quarterfinals of the cup.

“It was a difficult game, but we played to make it happen with the win,” said Amenyido. “We deserve it and can enjoy the evening, but tomorrow we start preparing for Friday. Then there’s another difficult game that we want to win.” The goal from star striker Erling Haaland (58th penalty) was not enough for BVB – in the final phase, Rose’s team fought back against defeat, but were unsuccessful.

In the first round of 16 participation in 16 years, St. Pauli coach Timo Schultz also offered up goal against the favored Bundesliga runners-up Dennis Smarsch, as expected. The actual reservist behind Nikola Vasilj had impressed in the first two rounds against Magdeburg and Dresden (3:2 each) and should “also shine against BVB”, as Schultz had said before the game.

BVB rescue attempt fails

But first Amenyido shone, who was on the spot after Marcel Hartel’s template and scored early. The guests, who switched to three positions compared to the convincing 5:1 over Freiburg, found their way into the game slowly. Smarsch briefly came into focus when he cleared the free Thorgan Hazard (7th) and Marco Reus (18th).

BVB found it increasingly difficult against well defending Hanseatic Leagues. Goal scorer Haaland hardly appeared in the first half except for a shot over the goal (19th). A counterattack by Guido Burgstaller before the break made it 2-0 when Dortmund’s Witsel failed in a rescue attempt – the own goal was loudly celebrated by the Hamburg fans in the stadium.

St. Pauli remains dangerous

After the change, the Dortmunders partially constricted the Kiezkicker in their half. But they not only defended well, they also remained dangerous: Burgstaller (54th/55th) just missed twice. An unfortunate handball by Jakov Medic then brought BVB back into play according to video evidence. Haaland didn’t miss the penalty opportunity and immediately got the ball out of the goal net for the remaining minutes to catch up.

Rose tried to further strengthen the offensive with the addition of Donyell Malen for the hapless Hazard (66). But Raphael Guerreiro missed a shot when he had a good chance (67th). Dortmund now pressed on the 2:2. However, St. Pauli remained dangerous on the counterattack.

Bochum defeats FC Mainz

In addition to St. Pauli, VFL Bochum can also be happy. The jubilation about the quarter-final entry was followed by malice for the Ruhr area rival. “We’re going to Berlin without Dortmund,” sang the 750 Bochum fans happily after their own 3-1 (0-1) win against FSV Mainz 05 and Dortmund’s defeat in the DFB Cup at FC St. Pauli. Thanks to a brace from dream goalscorer Milos Pantovic, VfL Bochum made it into the top eight for the first time in six years on Tuesday.

Pantovic turned the game in favor of VfL with his two goals and caused exuberant cheering from the 750 fans admitted. First, the 25-year-old scored with a penalty kick (56th minute), then with a remarkable lob (59th minute). Pantovic is the man for the spectacular goals for Bochum: he has scored twice this season from a long distance. Karim Onisiwo gave Mainz the lead after a mistake by Bochum goalkeeper Manuel Riemann (36′). Substitute Eduard Löwen from Bochum got the final point in the round of 16 (80th). Mainz only defeated VfL in the Bundesliga 1-0 on Saturday.

“It’s just important that we make ends meet. In the end, it doesn’t matter who scores the goals,” said Pantovic on Sky TV. Mainz coach Bo Svensson, on the other hand, was disappointed: “They were better in the second half, but I have a feeling that it was our fault.”

Fans had to be content with sporty lean food

For a long time there could be no question of an exchange of blows. Both teams acted very cautiously and were first concerned with a safe defense. So it became a tough affair. Mainz’s Jae-Sung Lee with a shot from the edge of the penalty area next to the goal (23′), on the other side a deflected shot by Danilo Soares (30′). The few spectators in the Bochum stadium had to be content with lean football food. In the first 45 minutes, there was far too little from the hosts in particular.

And it would probably have gone into the break 0-0 if it hadn’t been for the trophy hero Riemann. The VfL keeper, who had converted the crucial ball in the penalty shoot-out against FC Augsburg in the second round, was only able to let a long-range shot from Anton Stach bounce off forward. Onisiwo gratefully accepted the gift.

In the second round, however, another VfL was on the field. With a double chance from Jürgen Locadia and Patrick Osterhage, the hosts started a strong phase (54th). The pressure was soon rewarded when referee Felix Brych awarded Elvis Rexhbecaj a penalty after Leandro Barreiro had pulled his jersey. Pantovic converted safely and had his big performance just three minutes later when he lobbed the ball over Mainz keeper Robin Zentner in the style of Lionel Messi. Then Reis also showed a lucky hand. Substitutes Sebastian Polter and Löwen made the decision in a co-production.

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DPA