After almost 90 years: Lok wants to dupe Schalke again

The Lok Leipzig regional league footballers are fired up for the DFB Cup clash against second-division side Schalke 04. They don't want to hide, announced Lok striker Djamal Ziane ahead of Sunday's match (3.30pm/Sky) at the Bruno Plache Stadium. The 33-year-old emphasized: "Of course we want to try and pull off the miracle somehow. We will try to play in a disciplined manner and have to have a very good day."

Leipzig coach Jochen Seitz, who once played for Schalke, is calling for a quick release of nervousness. "Otherwise we won't stand a chance," said the soccer coach, who led Lok to the regional league championship last season and also to the Saxony Cup title thanks to a penalty shoot-out win against Erzgebirge Aue.

Of their four meetings to date - including two in the cup - Leipzig have won one against Schalke. On January 3, 1937, Lok predecessor VfB defeated Gelsenkirchen 2-1 in the final in front of 70,000 spectators at Berlin's Olympiastadion. 30 years ago - on September 19, 1995 - Schalke won 1-0 in the 2nd round of the cup. Youri Mulder saved the day with the decisive goal after an hour of play.

Significant costs at the Plache Stadium

This time, a win for Lok would not only be a big surprise, but also good for the club's coffers. After all, making the venerable Bruno Plache Stadium suitable for the DFB Cup involves costs in the low six-figure range. The first-round bonus of 211,886 euros is largely eaten up by this. There would be €423,772 for advancing.