DFB-Pokal exits for Ilzer and Muslic teams
Two managers experienced early exits from the second round of the DFB-Pokal on Wednesday, as Christian Ilzer’s 1899 Hoffenheim fell to second-division club Holstein Kiel 4-3 on penalties and Miron Muslic’s Schalke 04 lost 0-2 to Dynamo Dresden.
Hoffenheim eliminated by Holstein Kiel on penalties
The match in Kiel stood at 1-1 following regulation time and extra time. Adam Hlozek put Ilzer’s side ahead early in the 11th minute, but Adrian Kapralik equalized for the hosts just 12 minutes later in the 23rd minute. Alexander Prass played the full duration for Hoffenheim and converted his attempt during the penalty shootout, though the team ultimately fell short 4-3.
Schalke falls to second-tier Dynamo Dresden
Earlier in the evening, Schalke 04 suffered a 0-2 defeat against Dynamo Dresden at the Rudolf-Harbig-Stadion in front of 30,500 spectators. Manager Miron Muslic fielded a lineup featuring rotated young talents Mertcan Ayhan and Luca Vozar, while veteran striker Edin Dzeko made his return following a head injury sustained against Mainz 05. Despite controlling periods of possession, the Ruhr valley club struggled to create clear scoring opportunities. Patrice Covic opened the scoring for the hosts in the 54th minute, firing a low shot past goalkeeper Loris Karius, following a cross from the left side by Simon Straudi that reached the completely unmarked Covic at the far post from eight meters out, with the ball additionally deflected by S04 goalkeeper Loris Karius into the short corner. Dejan Ljubicic and Junior Adamu were substituted into the match for Schalke in the 70th and 77th minutes. Christoph Daferner secured the victory in the 88th minute by heading in from a corner kick after Karius misjudged the delivery. Following the first goal, the visiting team attempted to increase the pressure, but lacked any inspiration and ideas on how to bring the committed Dresden team into distress.
Historical struggles continue for Ruhr side
The defeat extends a difficult streak for Schalke in the German domestic cup competition. It marks the sixth year that the club has been eliminated in the second round of the DFB-Pokal. Dynamo Dresden advanced past the second round for the first time since the 2014-2015 season.
