There’s plenty of anticipation on both sides ahead of this floodlit encounter. “For a club, it’s an incredible way to create lasting memories, especially together with the fans – those are the moments that stay with you,” said Darmstadt head coach Florian Kohfeldt. His opposite number, Julian Schuster, added: “We’re really looking forward to this evening kick-off – cup nights like these are always special.”

In each of the last two seasons, Freiburg’s cup run has ended at the hands of lower-division opponents. In 2023/24, second-tier side SC Paderborn won in the second round at the Europa-Park Stadion, while last year, third-tier club and eventual finalists Arminia Bielefeld knocked SC out in the last 16. Schuster knows how tricky this competition can be: “Of course, you don’t enter the DFB-Pokal saying, ‘I want to reach the quarter-finals.’ But it would also be presumptuous to look three rounds ahead already.”

Dinkci and Makengo still sidelined

Florian Müller will again get the chance to impress in goal after his strong performance in the previous round away to Fortuna Düsseldorf. Against the side currently fifth in the 2. Bundesliga, Freiburg will once more be without Eren Dinkci and Jordy Makengo, both struggling with muscle problems.

Otherwise, the squad has come through the recent run of midweek fixtures well. Sunday’s 4-0 home win against ten-man Mainz was helpful from a mental perspective too, said Schuster: “There’s a difference in intensity when it comes to defensive work or attacking transitions.”

Tickets still available

A crowd of around 30,000 is expected at the Europa-Park Stadion on Wednesday night. A limited number of tickets remain available via the online ticket shop and resale platform. Around 2,300 away supporters will be travelling from Hesse – something that pleased Kohfeldt: “I think it’s fantastic that so many fans are coming. The away support in Elversberg, in a really lively stadium, was also outstanding. We’ll need that backing again tomorrow night.”

Despite being the favourites on paper, Freiburg are approaching the tie with caution given recent experiences in the competition. Schuster was also quick to play down being favourites for the tie: “We don’t talk about that sort of thing.”

Photo: SC Freiburg