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1. Saarbrücken Lights Up DFB Cup Again
Bayer Leverkusen faltered in their clash against Paderborn, losing their star player Florian Wirtz to injury, but little-known 1. FC Saarbrücken continued its remarkable cup run by eliminating Eintracht Frankfurt. Meanwhile, Leverkusen managed to secure a 3-1 win over Paderborn to advance in the competition.
Paderborn 07 vs. Bayer Leverkusen: 1-3 (0-2)
Saarbrücken's fairy-tale journey in the DFB Cup continues, as they defeated Eintracht Frankfurt 2-0 to advance to the quarter-finals. Despite World Cup champion Noel Futkeu's late red card, Frankfurt struggled to recover, marking their fourth consecutive loss.
In dreadful pitch conditions due to a last-minute tarpaulin cover, Saarbrücken displayed impressive resilience, creating opportunities through set-pieces and tenaciously keeping Frankfurt at bay. Kai Brünker (64') and Luca Kerber (78') bagged the decisive goals, securing Saarbrücken's berth in the quarter-finals for the third time in three seasons.
Bayer Leverkusen vs. Paderborn 07: 3-1 (2-0)
Bayer Leverkusen claimed a convincing victory over Paderborn, staying unbeaten in all competitions. With Florian Wirtz sidelined, the Werkself showed their mettle and solidified their position as a potent force in multiple competitions.
Leverkusen dominated the match from the get-go, with Jonas Hofmann, Exequiel Palacios, and Patrik Schick scoring for the Werkself, while Sebastian Klaas managed to pull a goal back for Paderborn. Despite the promising display, the Werkself's concern over Wirtz's injury lingered.
Saarbrücken's DFB Cup Story
Saarbrücken's history in the DFB Cup against higher-division teams has been a bit of a mixed bag. In the 2024/25 tournament, they drew 1-1 with Nuremberg in the second round, ultimately losing in a penalty shootout. Unfortunately, detailed data on Saarbrücken's victories against top-tier sides is scarce.
Saarbrücken has shown steadfast determination in the 3. Liga, accumulating 11 wins, 8 draws, and 5 losses, placing them third in the league as of the latest update[4]. They've notched victories against Energie Cottbus (4-1 away), Dynamo Dresden (1-1 away), and Viktoria Köln (1-0 at home), while also experiencing setbacks against Ingolstadt (2-3 at home) and Hannover 96 II (1-3 away)[4].
Saarbrücken's primary goalkeeper, Philipp Menzel, has played every match, while star players like Joel Bichsel, Lasse Wilhelm, and Stefan Vasiliadis have enjoyed consistent playing time[1]. Under Rüdiger Ziehl's leadership, Saarbrücken has managed 96 matches, boasting a win percentage of 48.96%, a draw percentage of 29.17%, and a loss percentage of 21.88%[1].
As we delve deeper into the DFB Cup, the story of underdogs like Saarbrücken and their triumphs against seemingly unbeatable opponents unfolds. Their successes bring excitement and hope to the hearts of football fans worldwide, proving time and again that anything is possible in the world of football.
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