Bayern Munich, specifically, needs to steer clear of mandatory football in Mainz.
In the forthcoming second round of the DFB-Pokal, there will be four Bundesliga confrontations towards the end of October. The mighty FC Bayern Munich, current title holders, are obliged to journey for their fixture. Their recent victories in the cup date back to the 2019/20 season, with early exits plaguing their subsequent attempts. Bayern's opponent in this draw is 1. FSV Mainz 05, a match that will see the Munich side traveling away from home.
On the other hand, reigning champions Bayer Leverkusen have struck gold with their draw. Coached by Xabi Alonso, the team will face lower division side SV Elversberg. Leverkusen are eager for redemption. Two years ago, they endured a 3:4 defeat at the hands of Elversberg in the first round. "We're delighted to host Elversberg at home. Our goal is to put our first-round exit from 2022 behind us," stated Leverkusen's sporting director Simon Rolfes. They will approach their lower league adversary with utmost seriousness, intent on making a deep run in the cup this year.
BVB faces the team by the Mittelland Canal
Borussia Dortmund will encounter a trip to the team by the Mittelland Canal. Their awaiting challenge is VfL Wolfsburg, who bested them in 2015 and claimed the title in the Berlin final. Bundesliga leaders RB Leipzig also enjoy home advantage in the second round. Leipzig will host newcomers FC St. Pauli for their fixture. Another newcomer, Holstein Kiel, must venture to second division side 1. FC Köln.
As the only remaining fourth division team in the competition, Kickers Offenbach will possess home advantage against second division side Karlsruhe SC. Similarly, third division sides Arminia Bielefeld and Dynamo Dresden will enjoy home games against 1. FC Union Berlin and SV Darmstadt 98 respectively. Last year's finalists 1. FC Kaiserslautern are pitted against German vice-champions VfB Stuttgart. "The draw is an immense challenge for us, but we're excited to accept it," declared FCK coach Markus Anfang.
Bayern Munich have suffered three consecutive second-round defeats in the past four years, all of which occurred away from home. In their previous cup match against Mainz, however, they emerged victorious. A 4:0 victory in the quarter-final was achieved in Mainz back in February 2023, only to be followed by a defeat at the hands of SC Freiburg in the next round. The second round will unfold on 29/30 October, with the final set for 24 May 2025 in Berlin.
VfB Stuttgart, the German vice-champions, will face last year's finalists 1. FC Kaiserslautern in an exciting Bundesliga clash during the DFB-Pokal second round. Kaiserslautern's coach, Markus Anfang, expressed his excitement about the challenge, stating, "The draw is an immense challenge for us, but we're excited to accept it."
