1. FC Saarbrücken celebrates next cup sensation

Bayer Leverkusen go into the cup clash with second-division side Paderborn as clear favorites and handle the task with ease. However, national team player Florian Wirtz had to come off injured. Meanwhile, 1. FC Saarbrücken celebrated the next sensation and, after FC Bayern, also knocked out Eintracht Frankfurt.

Bayer Leverkusen - SC Paderborn 07 3:1 (2:0)

The surprise kickers of 1. FC Saarbrücken remain the shock favorites in the DFB Cup. After defeating Bayern Munich, the Saarlanders now also deservedly beat last year's harmless finalists Eintracht Frankfurt 2:0 (0:0) and followed in the footsteps of their sensational run to the semi-finals of the 2019/20 season. SGE slipped even deeper into crisis after the embarrassment on St. Nicholas Day.

Kai Brünker (64') and Luca Kerber (78') sealed Frankfurt's fourth defeat in a row and the team is on red alert ahead of the clash against Bayern on Saturday (3.30 p.m.). Especially as Noel Futkeu, who had come on as a substitute shortly beforehand, was shown the red card for kicking Marcel Gaus off the ball (83').

It was the third time in the last six years that the Hessians had failed to beat a team below the two elite leagues. Third-tier Saarbrücken have won a sensational seven of their last eight DFB Cup matches, with Eintracht advancing for the first time in their third encounter.

To prevent the threat of a rejection like the one against Bayern, Saarbrücken had covered the pitch in Ludwigspark with a tarpaulin in the days leading up to the cup tie. Nevertheless, the pitch was in poor condition for the third home game in eight days. "The neat short pass will probably not be so much in demand," speculated Dino Toppmöller: "It's about getting into the game through duels."

His unsettled Eintracht did not really manage that. Instead, the favorites allowed themselves to be outplayed in front of 15,903 spectators. FCS, who had not conceded a goal in four league games, stood very deep and provoked set-pieces with their switching actions. Kevin Trapp dropped the ball after a shot from Kasim Rabihic, but Willian Pacho cleared Kerber's follow-up shot (17').

SGE were then very fortunate that referee Daniel Siebert, after a gentle push on Robin Koch, revoked Brünker's opening goal (20') following a corner after video evidence. Frankfurt then stabilized defensively, but nothing was achieved going forward. There was a lack of pace and ideas, with only a harmless shot from distance from Niels Nkounkou (38') hitting the Saarbrücken goal before the break.

Instead, the home side missed a triple chance with Manuel Zeitz, Bone Uaferro and Brünker (45.+1). The visibly dissatisfied coach Toppmöller made a double substitution at the break. This made Frankfurt's attacking efforts more compelling, with joker Aurelio Buta hitting the crossbar from an acute angle (61'). Shortly afterwards, Brünker followed a long pass with a left-footed shot into the corner from twelve meters. Kerber finished off a counter-attack to make it 2:0

1. FC Saarbrücken - Eintracht Frankfurt 2:0 (0:0)

The high-flyers from Bayer Leverkusen mastered their compulsory task in the DFB Cup with ease, but are worried about midfield star Florian Wirtz. Coach Xabi Alonso's team won 3:1 (2:0) against second-division side SC Paderborn to advance to the quarter-finals, but Wirtz had to be substituted shortly before the break due to injury. Leverkusen remain undefeated in competitive matches this season and still have title chances in three competitions.

As in the Bundesliga so far, Bayer has good prospects of a second triumph since 1993 in the cup, in which record winners Bayern Munich and defending champions RB Leipzig have already failed. The Werkself are also in the last 16 of the Europa League. Victor Boniface (12th), world champion Exequiel Palacios (28th) and Patrik Schick (87th) scored for the Bundesliga leaders. Sebastian Klaas (83) scored the equalizer in between.

Alonso made five changes to his team compared to the 1-1 draw against Borussia Dortmund on Sunday. The Spaniard replaced his entire back three and, as expected, substitute keeper Matej Kovar started in goal. In attack, international Jonas Hofmann was initially given a break, with Amine Adli starting in his place. The recovered Schick also started on the bench.

Paderborn coach Lukas Kwasniok had called for his team to keep the game open for as long as possible before the match. However, that failed early on.

The Werkself showed their usual strong pressing from the start, the visitors started bravely and with a chance through Kai Klefisch (3'), but Bayer scored with their first opportunity shortly afterwards. Bayern loanee Josip Stanisic crossed to Boniface, who took the ball directly into the far corner.

The second-division side were overwhelmed by the clever combination play of the Bundesliga leaders, mostly just running behind - and then had to make an injury-related substitution. Maximilian Rohr was injured after a duel with Jeremie Frimpong and was replaced by Jannis Heuer (21).

The Leverkusen team now put the underdogs to the sword, Frimpong played the ball to Palacios on the edge of the penalty area, who increased the lead with a low shot from 16 meters. The big mood dampener followed: midfield jewel Wirtz took a knock on the ankle, the 20-year-old left the pitch limping shortly before half-time and went into the dressing room supported by his coaches. Hofmann replaced him.

Bayer came out of the dressing room with even more energy and wanted to force a decision immediately. Alejandro Grimaldo with a left-footed shot (50') and Boniface after a corner (52') failed to beat Pelle Boevink in the Paderborn goal, Hofmann's goal was disallowed for offside after video evidence (53').