When 1. FC Kaiserslautern welcomes 1. FC Köln in the second round of the DFB Cup at Betzenberg this Tuesday evening (8:45 p.m. in the FAZ live ticker for the DFB Cup, on ZDF and on Sky), it will be a meeting of two large traditional clubs and former German football champions. The Fritz Walter Stadium has long been sold out with almost 50,000 spectators and all tickets were sold out within 90 minutes.
The high demand is also an expression of a new enthusiasm that is inspiring the FCK. While Cologne lost 6-0 at RB Leipzig on Saturday and are fighting relegation in the Bundesliga, the “Red Devils” are experiencing an upswing after grueling years in the third division, including going through bankruptcy. With the goal-rich 3:3 against Hamburger SV last Saturday, FCK was able to maintain its promising position in the upper third of the table in the second Bundesliga. Some people in the Palatinate are already hoping for the long-awaited return to the Bundesliga.
