DFB Pokal, Quarterfinal Draw: Bayern host BVB, Freiburg faces Mainz

Borussia Dortmund thrashed Hannover 5-1 to move on to the quarterfinals of the DFB Pokal. The win was important for BVB as Hannover were their “bogey team”, having knocked them out of the competition in four previous matchups.

BVB scored after only three minutes. Kevin Großkreutz, starting at right back for the sick Marcel Schmelzer, headed the ball across the goal to Mario Götze. He knocked it in unmarked for the 1-0 lead.

Stuttgart held on late to beat Köln 2-1 on Wednesday evening. The win moves the Swabians on to the quarterfinals of the DFB Pokal for the second year in a row.

It was 2-0 in the 35th minute. Jonas Hector was called for a handball in the penalty area, and Ibisevic converted the penalty into the corner. Stuttgart was pleased to go into the break with the lead and didn’t allow Köln a good attempt on goal in the remaining minutes.

Both teams started cautiously, and Wolfsburg controlled the match early. Things started to open up after the first quarter hour. Naldo tested Bernd Leno from distance, but the goalkeeper made an easy save. Disaster struck Wolfsburg in the 31st minute. Sebastian Boenisch sent in a cross that defender Fagner deflected into his own net to give Leverkusen the 1-0 lead.

The second half was more lively with Wolfsburg pushing for goals. The equalizer came through Christian Träsch. Daniel Carvajal’s failed clearance deflected off of Ivica Olic right into Träsch’s path, and he shot past Bernd Leno into the net to make it 1-1.

Bochum beat 10-man 1860 Munich 3-0 to advance to the quarterfinals of the DFB Pokal.

Even though they were down a man and down a goal, 1860 kept their composure while looking to equalize before halftime. Just before the whistle Daniel Bierofka came close, but his effort was wide of goal.

Kickers Offenbach pulled off the big upset of the third round with a 2-0 victory over Fortuna Düsseldorf. This is the second Bundesliga side that Offenbach have beaten in this competition, and they will be the only 3.Liga side taking part in the quarterfinals this year.

The match started slowly and was quite boring throughout the first half with neither side generating a legitimate goal scoring chance. Düsseldorf failed to get Dani Schahin and Robbie Kruse engaged enough to find a goal.

Schalke’s downward spiral continued on Tuesday as they lost 2-1 to Mainz and were eliminated from the Pokal. Schalke are now winless in their last seven in all competitions.

Mainz lost defender Radoslav Zabavnik after only ten minutes due to an injury, but they were the side to find the first goal. Adam Szalai played a great ball into Marco Caligiuri, and he beat Timo Hildebrand to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.

Sparks started to fly at the start of the second half. The referee showed Franck Ribery a straight red card for pushing the face of Koo. Replays showed that Koo slapped Ribery’s face before the Frenchman returned the favor. Koo was only shown a yellow. Minute’s later, replays showed that Augsburg should’ve been awarded a penalty when Dante handled the ball in the area, but it went uncalled.

As Augsburg continued to push for an equalizer, it was Bayern that grabbed the next goal. Substitutes Thomas Müller and Xherdan Shaqiri combined to make it 2-0 and put the match away.

Freiburg grabbed a goal in the second minute of the match and held on for 88 minutes to beat 3.Liga side Karlsruher 1-0.

Karlsruher never had the chance to get their feet underneath them against the Bundesliga side. Jan Rosenthal played a ball behind the backline to Jonathan Schmid, and the forward nutmegged Dirk Orlishausen for the goal after only two minutes to give Freiburg the lead.