20:45 Pokal Kickoffs: Musiala minces Mainz, Bielefeld knock out Union, Hoffenheim advance

In virtually no time at all on Wednesday evening at the MEWA Arena, Vincent Kompany’s FC Bayern München were able to dismantle Bo Henriksen’s FSV Mainz 05 in a second round Pokal fixture. A Jamal Musiala har-trick – aided slightly by the absence of VAR at this stage in Germany’s domestic cup – ensured that the second 45 minutes between the two teams would not be competitive. 

Kompany went with three changes to the team that thrashed Bochum on Sunday. One was enforced. Central defender Dayot Upamecano (thigh contusion) was replaced by Eric Dier. In non-injury-related rotations, German wingers Serge Gnabry and Leroy Sané took over for the French duo of Michael Olise and Kingsley Coman.

Henriksen went with two changes to the XI that ended up drawing Gladbach last Friday night. Mainz’s Danish trainer too needed to replace one injured actor. Armindo Sieb spearheaded the attack in place of the stricken Jonathan Burkardt. In his non-injury related rotation, Henriksen gave Bayern loanee Gabriel Vidovic his starting XI debut over Jae-Sung Lee. 

The Rheinhsessen hosts quickly figured out that they couldn’t match Bayern’s pace. After several quick-fire attack charges in the opening minute, Musiala tapped in the 1-0 in the 2nd. Harry Kane tapped back for the German phenom in the box. Alphonso Davies tore up the left flank to cross in for Kane. A confident FCB side proceeded to dominate they shellshocked opponents for much of the half. 

Mainz woke up a little just after the half-hour-mark. FSV wingback Antony Caci hit the side netting in the 32nd on the first real chance of the match from the Pfälzer. Unfortunately, that would be about the extent of the positives from the underdogs. Five minutes after Caci’s chance, Musiala headed home the 2-0 in the 37th.

Mainz were unfortunate that VAR is not yet in use in the second Pokal round. Musiala scored his second goal (putting home a rebound of a Kane header) from a clear offside position. Two goals in first-half injury time sunk Mainzer hopes completely. Kane and Davies set up Sané’s 3-0 at 45+1. Musiala completed his hat trick by dusting off a ball Domink Kohr deflected to him at 45+3.

Bayern showed little interest in increasing their lead for much of the second half. Mainz simply didn’t have the quality to mount anything resembling a comeback. Henriksen introduced Austrian striker Karim Onisiwo at the break and much of the FSV attacks revolved around hopeful long verticals for the new addition. Nothing came of them.

Elsewhere in the final set of second round DFB-Pokal kickoffs:

Arminia Bielefeld-Union Berlin

Union Berlin trainer Bo Svensson rotated heavily against his 3. Liga opponents, bringing in five fresh players from the XI that drew Frankfurt on Sunday. Regrettably, one new FCU actor enabled the heavy underdogs to take an early lead at the Alm. A mistake from Hungarian midfielder placed the ball at the feet of Marius Wörl in the 12th. Wörl, noticing that keeper Frederik Rønnow was off his line, lofted in the 1-0 from 35 meters out. Rønnow did manage to redeem himself with a couple of fine saves before the first-half was out. 

The visiting Eisernen, meanwhile, couldn’t seem to buy an equalizer. Schäfer and Rani Khedira both hit the goal-frame. Union Danilho Doekhi found himself twice stymied by DSC Keeper Jonas Kersken. Svensson’s crew nevertheless couldn’t reproduce the same offensive pop in the second half and were eventually made to pay. The tenacious Wörl once again played a role, taking a ball off Doekhi in the 71st and setting up André Becker’s 2-0. Union subs Kevin Volland and Benedict Hollerbach weren’t able to get late efforts past Kersken and the 3. Liga side completed the sensational upset. 

Hoffenheim-Nürnberg

Over at the PreZero Arena in Sinsheim, Pellegrino Matarazzo’s TSG 1899 Hoffenheim emerged from a relatively even first half with the lead against their Middle Franconian guests thanks to a 27th-minute goal from striker Haris Tabokovic. Much like in the Bayern-Mainz fixture, Nürnberg supporters will be disappointed that VAR was not in use during this cup round. Tabakovic’s goal came off a corner that was falsely awarded to the hosts. To their immense credit, the Bavarians fought hard in pursuit of an equalizer. Only in-form TSG keeper Oliver Baumann prevented Nürnberg from scoring. 

Miroslav Klose’s men were eventually able to notch the well-deserved 1-1 shorty after the restart. Former TSG attacking midfielder Julian Justvan – sold by Hoffenheim to Nürnberg just this past summer – supplied the assist for FCN striker Mahir Emreli’s 47th minute goal with some very clever footwork. Baumann again had to be on his toes to prevent the 2. Bundesliga underdogs from taking the lead. Matarazzo’s men were eventually able to restore their advantage off a corner (this one legitimate) in the 71st. Arthur Chaves headed home an Umut Tohumcu service. Nürnberg couldn’t find a way back.