German Football Association (DFB) to test COVID-19 vaccines on players. DFB plans to trial vaccinations among footballers. - RB Leipzig's journey to Essen in a cup match, with Jena facing Leverkusen.
RB Leipzig is set to play against third-division team Rot-Weiss Essen in the initial round of the DFB-Pokals, as determined during the draw held at the German Football Museum in Dortmund on Saturday. Rouven Schröder, the sports director of RB, commented, saying, "We're up against a highly motivated opponent in Rot-Weiss Essen, but it is our intention to progress to the next round."
Nils Petersen, a former professional, drew his former club FC Carl Zeiss Jena, who won the Thuringia Cup for the fifteenth time and the fifth time consecutively, against Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen. The second division's 1. FC Magdeburg will be heading to Regionalliga team Kickers Offenbach.
Third division and Saxony Cup victors Dynamo Dresden will encounter Fortuna from Düsseldorf, who narrowly missed out on the Bundesliga promotion in the promotion playoffs against Bochum. The two squads had contested each other in the first round back in 1995, with Fortuna emerging the victors at a score of 3:1 at Rudolf-Harbig-Stadion.
Third division side FC Erzgebirge Aue will be hosting Bundesliga club Borussia Mönchengladbach, resembling a matchup from the 2010/2011 season when the Saxons were defeated 1:3 in the first round. "We're eagerly anticipating this cup tournament, but it'll undoubtedly be a formidable challenge," said Dotchev, the coach of Aue. Fellow third division relegated and Saxony Cup winners Hallescher FC have been pitted against Bundesliga debutants FC St. Pauli.
The first round will unfold from August 16th to 19th, taking place one week prior to the Bundesliga kickoff. The games featuring Supercup participants Bayer 04 Leverkusen and VfB Stuttgart are planned for August 27th and 28th.
