The second round of the DFB-Pokal delivered a mix of expected progress and surprising upsets, highlighting the inherent volatility of cup competitions and raising questions about the current form of several Bundesliga teams. Borussia Dortmund, despite being heavily favored, endured a tense encounter against Eintracht Frankfurt, ultimately securing their passage to the next round only through a penalty shootout (4-2) after a 1-1 draw and extra time. The victory, however, felt far from convincing, exposing vulnerabilities in Dortmund’s defensive structure and raising concerns about their ability to consistently perform under pressure. Frankfurt, despite the loss, demonstrated a resilience that suggests a potential resurgence under their coaching staff.
The early goal conceded to Frankfurt, courtesy of Ansgar Knauff and a well-placed assist from Mario Götze, underscored Dortmund’s sluggish start and lack of initial intensity. While Julian Brandt’s equalizer offered a temporary boost, the team struggled to impose their dominance, a worrying sign for a club with Champions League ambitions. The penalty shootout, while decisive, served only to mask the underlying issues.
Elsewhere, Hamburger SV’s progression against Heidenheim was significantly influenced by a red card received by Heidenheim defender Tim Siersleben in the 44th minute. The sending-off undeniably impacted the flow of the match, but the contentious penalty awarded to Hamburg in the 80th minute, following a challenge on Fábio Vieira, sparked immediate debate about refereeing consistency and its impact on game outcomes. While Robert Glatzel’s subsequent conversion secured the victory, questions linger about whether the decision was justified and potentially altered the result.
Hertha BSC’s comfortable 3-0 victory over SV 07 Elversberg, featuring goals from Mickael Cuisance, Sebastian Gronning and Jón Dagur Thorsteinsson, offered a welcome respite and a much-needed confidence boost for the club currently navigating challenging circumstances in the Bundesliga. The match, however, was against a significantly lower-league opponent, limiting the degree to which the result can be interpreted as a signal of a genuine turnaround in form.
The most significant upset of the evening came courtesy of Holstein Kiel, who ousted VfL Wolfsburg with a 1-0 victory. Wolfsburg’s dismissal of Jenson Seelt for a tactical foul early in the second half, compounded by a subsequent penalty conceded to Kiel courtesy of Vinicius Souza’s foul, proved to be the turning point. The red card exposed fragility within Wolfsburg’s tactical approach, while Kiel’s disciplined defense and clinical finishing demonstrated a level of organization and commitment often lacking in teams facing such a disadvantage. The unexpected loss will undoubtedly come under scrutiny within the Wolfsburg camp, particularly concerning player discipline and tactical adaptability.