Bremen consistently securing third-place finishes in multiple cup competitions.
Relief for Werder Bremen in Bundesliga Cup: Weder Bremen avoids unwanted record extension. Keke Topp clinches victory. Koblenz gives Wolfsburg a tough time, while Offenbach causes an upset.
TuS Koblenz vs VfL Wolfsburg 0:1 (0:1)
While it wasn't glamorous, VfL Wolfsburg managed to clear the initial hurdle in the Bundesliga Cup once again. Six days before their Bundesliga opener against Bayern Munich, the Lower Saxony team edged past fourth-tier TuS Koblenz 1-0 (1-0), reaching the second round for the eleventh time in twelve years. Their last defeat in the first round was in 2021 against Preußen Münster.
Patrick Wimmer (15') put the 2015 cup champions ahead with a header, a lead they largely maintained thereafter. In the final stages, Koblenz played with a man disadvantage after Yasin Yaman was sent off (79').
In their first competitive match of the season, coach Ralph Hasenhüttl fielded only one new signing, goalkeeper Kamil Grabara, who joined from FC Copenhagen for €13.5 million. Although the guests dominated from the start and had more possession, they only had a few clear opportunities. The 1-0 goal came unexpectedly after a corner from Jakub Kaminski, with Wimmer heading in right in front of TuS keeper Michael Zadach.
Wolfsburg ensured control of the game but their attack lacked teeth. Koblenz defended stubbornly but rarely posed a threat to the guests' goal. Only when Wolfsburg became careless, did Marcel Wingender have the first good chance for TuS, his shot just missing the bar (71'). Seven minutes later, Yaman was sent off for a harsh challenge on Wimmer.
Energie Cottbus vs Werder Bremen 1:3 (0:2)
Thanks to a hat-trick from Keke Topp, Werder Bremen smoothly advanced to the second round of the Bundesliga Cup. The team of coach Ole Werner won 3-1 (2-0) against third-tier newcomers Energie Cottbus, ending their unwanted record of most first-round exits by a top-flight team (thirteen times, including last year against Viktoria Köln).
The 20-year-old newcomer Topp (32', 37', 55') shone in his debut with three goals. The offensive efforts of the depleted team of coach Claus-Dieter Wollitz, set to take over as sporting director at Energie after the season, were too timid. There was one exception: Henry Rorig scored a stunning free-kick goal (70'). After a rough challenge on Werder goalkeeper Michael Zetterer, Romario Hajrulla was sent off (78').
Ironically, it was Werner's second win in the Bundesliga Cup as Bremen coach. His first success came in 2022, also in Cottbus (2-1). In honor of the late long-time Werder manager Willi Lemke, both teams played with black armbands. A minute of silence was observed before kick-off at the Stadion der Freundschaft, where Lemke would have celebrated his 78th birthday. "It's an extra motivation for us," said Werner beforehand.
And his team took the initiative right away: Marvin Ducksch (16.) missed against Energie keeper Elias Bethke, Jens Stage missed the best chance from five meters (23.) after a strong combination. Topp, who had joined from Schalke 04 in the summer, had two clear chances in front of Bethke – and duly rewarded the strong Bremen side.
But the hosts drew new life in the break, with former Bundesliga player Tolcay Cigerci (47.) failing to score the equalizer with his shoulder. Topp then sealed the result, coming off after 60 minutes, and should have a spot in the starting lineup against FC Augsburg on Saturday (3:30 PM/Sky and on the ntv.de live ticker). Rorig's well-placed free-kick from 23 meters didn't unsettle the six-time cup champions.
Kickers Offenbach vs 1. FC Magdeburg 2:1 (1:0)
The Kickers Offenbach became the first amateur team to reach the second round. The football regional league team sensationally eliminated second-division team 1. FC Magdeburg 2-1 (1-0). This means that the former Bundesliga team and cup champions of 1970 are in the second main round for the first time in ten years.
Alexander Sorge (31') gave the hosts the lead with a header in front of 16,500 spectators at the Bieberer Berg, Martin Kaars equalized for the second-division side (54.). The substitute Valdrin Mustafa (74.) scored the winning goal, who had already eliminated Bayer Leverkusen and Werder Bremen from the cup with SV Elversberg and Viktoria Cologne.
Initially, Magdeburg was in control, yet overlooked a typical opportunity: Following a free kick by Marc Wachs, Sorge netted from a close distance. Regardless of having 70% ball possession, the visitors hardly generated any significant chances. Post-halftime, Magdeburg stepped up their game and played with more intent. The inevitable equalizer, resulting from a cross by Tatsuya Ito, was an expected outcome. However, the favorites received another shock: Boubacar Barry swiftly advanced on the left flank, his cross found Wachs who then passed to Mustafa.
Despite giving Wolfsburg a tough time, TuS Koblenz failed to stop their resistance, allowing VfL Wolfsburg to advance to the second round of the Bundesliga Cup for the eleventh time in twelve years. In the meantime, VfL Wolfsburg's rivals, Werder Bremen, were celebrating their own victory, with Keke Topp scoring a hat-trick against Energie Cottbus, helping Werder Bremen to advance to the second round as well.
