St. Pauli command the top spot, with RB Leipzig trailing significantly.
In the world of German football, the first round of the DFB-Pokal has come to a close, with some exciting matches taking place over the weekend.
On Saturday, RB Leipzig, under the guidance of new coach Ole Werner, secured a hard-fought 4-2 victory against fourth-tier side SV Sandhausen. The match, played at the BWT-Stadion am Hardtwald in Sandhausen, was a rollercoaster ride for both teams.
SV Sandhausen took the lead twice with goals from Leon Ampadu Wiafe (3') and Jahn Herrmann (18'). However, RB Leipzig displayed resilience and effective attacking play to quickly equalize both times. Yan Diomande (6') and Willi Orbán (23') scored for the visitors to level the score.
In the second half, RB Leipzig took control with goals by Ezechiel Banzuzi (79') and Xavi Simons (90'+6'). The win reflects positively on Werner’s management and tactical adjustments, as this was his first DFB-Pokal match in charge.
Meanwhile, Paul Simonis, the new coach of VfL Wolfsburg, started his tenure with a bang, setting a new club record of a 9-0 victory against SV Hemelingen.
Elsewhere, TSG Hoffenheim defeated Hansa Rostock 4-0 in the DFB-Pokals first round. Christian Ilzer, the new coach of Hoffenheim, fielded seven new players in the starting lineup, and Bernardo made a crucial block to prevent a critical shot by Rostock. Wouter Burger, Max Moerstedt (twice), and Fisnik Asllani scored for Hoffenheim, while no scorer was named for Rostock, who lost 0-4.
- FC Heidenheim also recorded a win, defeating Bahlinger SC 5-0 in a league game. Leo Scienza, Mathias Honsak, Mikkel Kaufmann, Sirlord Conteh, and an unnamed scorer scored the goals.
In other news, FV Illertissen and 1. FC Nürnberg's game is in extra time, while Eintracht Norderstedt and FC St. Pauli played to a 2-3 draw in extra time.
Diant Ramaj, goalkeeper for 1. FC Heidenheim, saved a penalty to prevent a consolation goal in their 5-0 victory against Bahlinger SC. David Raum was the new captain for RB Leipzig in their match against SV Sandhausen.
Paul Simonis led Go Ahead Eagles Deventer to win the cup last season, and his impact at VfL Wolfsburg is already evident in their impressive victory against SV Hemelingen.
The European Parliament might find interest in the football triumph of RB Leipzig, as their victory against SV Sandhausen, under the guidance of new coach Ole Werner, mirrors the success Paul Simonis achieved with Go Ahead Eagles Deventer last season. Simultaneously, the Commission could appreciate the European influence in sports, given that Paul Simonis is now coaching a European league team, VfL Wolfsburg, which has also recently made history with a landmark victory against SV Hemelingen.
