FC Schalke‘s crisis continues in the cup. In the end, FC Augsburg has an easy game against the second division team. Thanks to Patrik Schick, Bayer Leverkusen solves its mandatory task confidently. Karlsruher SC and RB Leipzig can also celebrate.
Thanks to two joker goals, FC Augsburg reached the round of 16 of the DFB Cup for the first time in five years. Three days after the furious comeback victory in the Bundesliga against Champions League participants Borussia Dortmund (2:1), coach Jess Thorup’s team was particularly weak in the 3:0 (1:0) against second division crisis club Schalke 04 There were a lot of problems when changing sides.
The struggling Royal Blues suffered their third competitive defeat in a row under their new coach Kees van Wonderen in front of 27,511 spectators. After the victory, the Augsburg team can once again hope to reach the cup quarter-finals, which last ended against RB Leipzig in 2019.
As was the case against Dortmund, Alexis Claude-Maurice was crucial for the hosts. However, the French offensive player was also lucky with his shot in the 26th minute when the ball landed on the grass so badly for Schalke goalkeeper Justin Heekeren that he was no longer able to react decisively. Substitute Arne Maier (87th) and Samuel Essende (90th), who was also brought into the game, brought a sigh of relief to the Bundesliga club shortly before the final whistle.
Thorup had given his team a precautionary warning against their lower-class opponents. The Danish coach warned that just “90, 95 percent” effort would not be enough to win. Claude-Maurice and his teammates didn’t disappoint Thorup at first, even if they made life difficult for themselves by losing the ball unnecessarily. Augsburg put pressure on Schalke, who were weak in terms of play.
Schalke still winless under van Wonderen
Claude-Maurice, who scored twice in his starting eleven against Dortmund, continued his scoring streak. When he shot from the left corner of the penalty area, the offensive player, who was signed on a free transfer from OGC Nice from France, was also lucky with the uneven surface.
In the 58th minute, Claude-Maurice was allowed to go into the dressing room early for Essende to shower – as was Frank Onyeka, whose physicality in the defensive midfield was time and again the last stop for Schalke’s cautious offensive efforts. The later goalscorer Maier came in for him.
Finn Dahmen, who lost his regular place to Croatian newcomer Nediljko Labrovic from HNK Rijeka, made his first appearance of the season for Augsburg. The former Mainz player’s workload was clearly limited, even if the guests from the Ruhr area became more and more energetic after the restart in the WWK Arena, which was now shrouded in fog.
FC Augsburg appeared far too passive. A header goal by Schalke captain Kenan Karaman (70th) did not count due to an offside position. The two jokers Maier and Essende increased the score for the home team shortly before the final whistle.
Leverkusen and Leipzig continue
Defending champions Bayer Leverkusen have now confidently reached the round of 16. Coach Xabi Alonso’s team easily won 3-0 (3-0) in front of their home crowd against second division team SV Elversberg. The two-time cup winners RB Leipzig also lived up to their role as favorites against Bundesliga newcomers FC St. Pauli, but had a lot more trouble. The Saxons finally prevailed 4:2 (3:1).
Striker Patrik Schick quickly put Leverkusen on the road to victory with an early brace (2nd minute, 9th minute). The Spaniard Aleix Garcia increased the score with a free kick before the break (36′). In Leipzig, Yussuf Poulsen was man of the game with two goals (12th, 30th), while Christoph Baumgartner (17th) and Antonio Nusa (80th) also scored for RB. The goals for St. Pauli were scored by Morgan Guilavogui (28th) and Eric Smith (59th).
“We brought to the pitch what we set out to do. We took advantage of our chances relatively quickly, which always helps in a game like this,” said Leipzig offensive player Christoph Baumgartner.
Offenbach missed a surprise
Meanwhile, the journey for the last remaining regional league team Kickers Offenbach is over. In front of DFB sports director Rudi Völler, Karlsruher SC was able to avert the Kickers’ next cup surprise. The second division soccer team won 2-0 (0-0) against the last remaining fourth division team. The goals in front of 20,071 spectators at Bieberer Berg were scored by Budu Siwziwadze (62nd minute) and Marcel Beifus (72nd).
Compared to the 5-0 win against Sportfreunde Lotte in the first round, the KSC had a lot more trouble this time. There was no sign of a two-class difference in an uneventful first half. The Kickers held up well and were particularly attentive on defense. There was only one threat in the first 45 minutes in front of the Offenbach goal, when an attempt by Dzenis Burnic went over the goal from a promising position (26th).
Even after the break, the spectators initially saw a balanced game – among them was Völler, who played for OFC as a teenager and began his professional career with the traditional club. Offenbach’s Dimitrij Nazarov missed the first good chance of the second half. His direct shot rushed over the goal (53′). On the other side, Zivzivadze used one of the few KSC opportunities to take the lead. Beifus then made the decision after a corner.
rc/dpa
