Borussia and Bayer advance in the German Cup, Freiburg is out

Ahead of Der Klassiker, Borussia Dortmund had to play another tricky game. They faced Hoffenheim in DFB Pokal, a cup competition they won in 2021. The guests were in top form on the road, winning sixth victory in six games in all competitions. But, tradition was on Borussia's side. BVB have progressed in 12 of their 13 DFB Cup home fixtures, including both games with Hoffenheim were won at home by Borussia. On top of that, Dortmund have won their last five competitive meetings with Hoffenheim – the best run in the 34-game history of this fixture. And tonight the tradition continued: Dortmund – Hoffenheim 1-0.

It was not such a pretty game, but like the vast majority of the matches among Bundesliga opponents, it was a high-paced intensive match, and there were chances too. Carefully waging the importance of this match with the upcoming fixtures (Bayern on Saturday, Newcastle on Tuesday), coach Edin Terzić made five changes and introduced Niklas Süle, Julian Ryerson, Julian Brandt, Jamie Bynoe-Gittens and Youssoufa Moukoko in the starting lineup. But actually the guests nearly silenced the home fans (81365 present) after only two minutes, with a n excellent chance, which was started by Bebou, and Berisha could have scored on the rebound, but Schlotterbeck cleared off the line.

Just two minutes later, Marco Reus had his chance, but the ball passed by the left post. Borussia's captain redeemed himself in the 43rd minute with a goal, after Jamie Bynoe-Gittens did all the 'dirty work'. The second half could have ended badly for the hosts, since they were unable to score the second and decisive goal, so a threat from Hoffeinheim was always there, but in the end, without their best striker Andrej Kramarić, the guests couldn't upset the favorite. Bundesliga league leader Bayer Leverkusen left it late to beat he third divison Sandhausen. The final result was 2-5, but it was actually 2-2 until the 85th minute after the substitute Adam Hložek finally broke the deadlock, after which Adli scored a brace in the last minutes of the game. Coach Xavi Alonso left only three first team players in the squad, but the reserve players struggled and he had to introduce the 'heavy artilery' in the 65th minute (Frimpong, Grimaldo, Wirth, Xhaka) who helped Adli and Hložek to secure the next round.

DFB POKAL - GERMAN CUP - 1/16 FINALS

Wednesday

Sandhausen - Leverkusen 2-5 (0-1)

/Ehlich 50, Balla 56 - Palacios 21, Tah 54, Hložek 85, Adli 88, 90+5/

Dortmund - Hoffenheim (1-0)

/Reus 42/

Holstein Kiel - Magdeburg 2-2 (0-2)

/Heber 60(og), Piccini 68(og) - Bockhorn 3, Krempicki 11/

Freiburg - Paderborn 1-3 (0-2)

/Eggstein 69 - Bilbija 4, 56, Muslija 33/

22:45: (1.95) Nurnberg (3.50) Hansa (3.90)

22:45: (2.80) Hertha (3.40) Mainz (2.50)

22:45: (8.00) Victoria Koln (4.70) Eintr.Frankfurt (1.40)

22:45: (90.0) Saarbrucken (16.0) Bayern (1.02)

***odds are subject to change***