Regensburg's Jahn club expels initial Bundesliga players
Bundesliga Team VfL Bochum Becomes First to Bow Out in DFB-Pokal, Losing to Jahn Regensburg
Jahn Regensburg - VfL Bochum 1:0 (0:0)
New coach Peter Zeidler's VfL Bochum had a disappointing start in the DFB-Pokal, becoming the first Bundesliga team to exit at the first hurdle. They suffered a 0:1 (0:0) defeat to second division newcomers Jahn Regensburg, missing out on the second round just like they did against Arminia Bielefeld last year. Florian Ballas (70.) sealed the defeat for VfL, who struggled to create threats in the second half and must now solely concentrate on the league.
With a narrow escape from relegation in the playoffs against Fortuna Düsseldorf, Zeidler, who previously managed FC St. Gallen in the Swiss first division, took charge from Thomas Letsch and interim coach Heiko Butscher in July. He will make his Bundesliga debut as head coach in the away game against RB Leipzig next Saturday (15:30 CET/Sky).
VfL Bochum, sponsored by singer Herbert Grönemeyer, controlled the game as expected due to their favorite status. However, they only became dangerous after about half an hour, with Maximilian Wittek (34.) and Moritz Broschinski (36.) both missing chances to take the lead.
Even after the break, Bochum managed to maintain the pressure, with Wittek (50.) again failing to beat Regensburg goalkeeper Felix Gebhardt. However, Jahn also became more active and created better chances. Kai Pröger (60.) hit the post, and Dominik Kother (69.) came closest to giving Regensburg the lead. Ballas' goal was therefore well-deserved.
Bochum pushed forward again in the final stages, with Zeidler trying to motivate his players. However, the opportunity had passed, and Regensburg defended robustly, also creating dangerous chances of their own.
1. FC Köln Faces SV Sandhausen in the Second Round of DFB-Pokal
Match report to follow.
Hertha BSC Advances to Second Round with a 5:1 Win Over Hansa Rostock
Hansa Rostock - Hertha BSC 1:5 (0:1)
Hertha BSC took a step closer to a final at their own stadium by defeating third division side Hansa Rostock 5:1 (1:0) in an exciting encounter and qualifying for the second round for the third time in the past four years. Derry Scherhant (38.), Ibrahim Maza (66.), Marten Winkler (75.), and Florian Niederlechner (85., 88.) scored for Hertha, who reached the quarter-finals last season. A costly mistake by goalkeeper Marius Gersbeck, who gave Hansa striker Albin Berisha a simple goal (46.), had no further consequences. Under new coach Cristian Fiel, who replaced club legend Pal Dardai in the summer, Hertha recorded their first competitive win after a loss and a draw to start the second division season.
The game at the Ostseestadion started evenly, with Hansa's Cedric Harenbrock shooting over the bar from a good position (35.). Shortly afterward, Scherhant put Hertha ahead from a set piece.
Immediately after the half-time break, Hertha goalkeeper Gersbeck made an error: The 29-year-old played the ball unchallenged to Berisha, allowing the Kosovo striker to score easily. However, Berlin struck back impressively through Maza, Winker, and Niederlechner.
Bremer SV vs. SC Paderborn Scheduled for Second Round of DFB-Pokal
Match report to follow.
Darmstadt 98 Beats Teutonia Ottensen 3:1 in the Second Round of DFB-Pokal
Teutonia Ottensen - Darmstadt 98 1:3 (0:2)
Last season's Bundesliga relegation side, Darmstadt 98, avoided a poor start to the new campaign by winning 3-1 (2-0) against regional league side Teutonia Ottensen on Sunday, securing a spot in the second round.
Kai Klefisch (19'), Fabian Nürnberger (28', penalty), and Oscar Vilhelmsson (62') ensured Darmstadt's progression to the second round, which will be played at Bundesliga newcomers FC St. Pauli's Millerntor Stadium. Despite Christian Stark's (49') interim equalizer for Ottensen, Darmstadt can now focus on their league duties ahead of the second-round matches on October 29th and 30th.
After finishing last in the Bundesliga last season, Darmstadt finds themselves under pressure after two league games, having lost to Fortuna Düsseldorf (0:2) and SC Paderborn (1:3). Their next match is against 1. FC Nürnberg on Sunday (15:30/Sky), led by coach Miroslav Klose.
VfV 06 Hildesheim vs. SV Elversberg Scheduled for Second Round of DFB-Pokal
Match report to follow.
The following are the main objectives that Coach Zeidler might have for VfL Bochum in the upcoming Bundesliga matches, following their early exit in the DFB-Pokal: ensuring a stronger offense to create more threats, improving their defense to prevent conceding goals, and securing more wins to avoid relegation.
After their impressive performance in the DFB-Pokal, Hertha BSC's main objectives in their subsequent matches, including their Bundesliga debut under new coach Cristian Fiel, would be to maintain their offensive prowess, strengthen their defense to keep clean sheets, and build on their current form to secure a promotion spot.
