The second round of the DFB-Pokal took place on Tuesday and Wednesday night and, although there were a few shock results, most of the favourites eased through to the third round. Here is the round-up from the second round.
DFB-Pokal Round-Up
Tuesday Night Highlights in the Pokal as Union Berlin and Hoffenheim Lose to Lower League Opposition
There were a couple of sides from 2. Bundesliga to knock out top-flight opposition on Tuesday. Greuther Fürth, who occupy the third spot in the second tier, saw off struggling Hoffenheim at the Rhein-Neckar-Arena. The game ended 2-2 with all four goals coming in the opening half but Die Kleeblätter won the contest 7-6 on penalties.
The Bundesliga surprise package in Union Berlin were dealt an early shock as they lost at home to Paderborn. Paderborn, who suffered relegation from the top flight last season, took the lead but Union soon levelled. The game ended 3-2 to the visitors who took a two-goal lead before the break.
There were big wins for Bundesliga sides, too. RB Leipzig saw off top-flight rivals Augsburg 3-0 while there were away wins for Borussia Dortmund and struggling Schalke on the road at Ulm and Braunschweig respectively. Borussia Monchengladbach also won on the road, seeing off Elversberg 5-0.
Wednesday Night Round-Up in the Pokal as Fourth-Tier Side Cause the Biggest Shock
The biggest shock of the second round came at the Stadion Essen as Essen, a team from the Regionalliga West, saw off 2. Bundesliga outfit Fortuna Düsseldorf. RWE, who won the Pokal in 1953, sit top of their division in the fourth tier and are unbeaten from their opening 20 games. They secured a 3-2 victory over Die Flingeraner who are managed by Uwe Rösler.
Elsewhere, Bundesliga strugglers Mainz were knocked out on penalties by 2. Bundesliga side, Bochum. The game ended 2-2 with the visitors being reduced to ten men late on. However, Die Unabsteigbaren won 3-0 on penalties.
Stuttgart and Werder Bremen made it through to round three with wins over top-flight rivals Freiburg and Hannover respectively, while Jahn Regensburg of the second division edged past third-tier side Wehen Wiesbaden on penalties.
Upcoming Second Round Fixtures
There are still two more fixtures to be played in the second round of the Pokal but they won’t take place until the new year.
Bayer Leverkusen host Eintracht Frankfurt in an all Bundesliga affair while league leaders Bayern Munich travel to Kiel to face the 2. Bundesliga leaders Holsten Kiel.
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