DFB-Pokal Round of 16 Ushers Key Clashes with Notable Absences and Tactical Shifts

The DFB-Pokal Round of 16 kicks off with several compelling matches featuring German football clubs, marked by strategic adjustments due to key player absences and strong anticipation for breakthrough performances.

Borussia Mönchengladbach face FC St. Pauli on Tuesday at 18:00 in a crucial encounter where victory would propel them closer to their first cup title since 1995. Coach Eugen Polanski must navigate multiple absences including Florian Neuhaus sidelined with muscular issues and Jens Castrop ill. Additionally, Robin Hack suffers from a knee setback. These injuries open the door for Giovanni Reyna to start in central midfield—only his second start since joining Dortmund—and Polanski expressed confidence in Reyna’s talent and recent form during his November national team appearances.

Later that evening at 21:00, Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen rematch just days after their Bundesliga clash, which Dortmund won 2-1. This televised match on ARD with a live stream on sportschau.de promises a tactical battle as Dortmund aims to consolidate their third position in the league standings. Dortmund’s sports director Sebastian Kehl praised the team’s recent performance, while Leverkusen’s coach Kasper Hjulmand underlined the need for improvement following their close defeat.

On Wednesday, underdog VfL Bochum welcomes defending champions VfB Stuttgart. Bochum, buoyed by a strong 3-0 win over Fürth, plan to disrupt Stuttgart’s rhythm, with coach Uwe Rösler stressing the importance of pushing beyond limits to challenge the high-caliber opponent. Defender Maxi Wittek highlighted a need for a physically intense approach to contain Stuttgart's gameplay. Stuttgart faces pressure to avoid an early exit, a significant setback for the reigning cup holders.

Also on Tuesday at 21:00, RB Leipzig host Magdeburg with goalkeeper Maarten Vandevoordt starting amid competition from Peter Gulacsi. Despite some mixed performances, coach Ole Werner praised Vandevoordt’s training commitment and skills. The game draws at least 7,000 visiting fans, prompting heightened security measures from Leipzig police. This high-stakes fixture could secure a quarter-final berth and potentially a 1.7 million euro prize.

Together, these fixtures highlight the DFB-Pokal’s mix of tradition, tactical battles, and player opportunities, as clubs vie to progress deeper into Germany's prestigious cup competition.