Back in the Second Round: Schalke Eliminated from the Cup in Dresden

FC Schalke 04 has once again been eliminated in Dresden in the DFB Cup. Just as they did twelve years ago, the Royal Blues were knocked out of the competition early by Dynamo, this time in the second round. The Saxons prevailed 2-0 (0-0) and advanced to the round of 16 thanks to goals by Patrice Covic (54th minute) and Christoph Daferner (88th). 

For coach Miron Muslic’s club, this marked the sixth consecutive year they’ve been eliminated in the second round of the cup. The Bundesliga newcomer has won the cup a total of five times.

Dynamo last advanced past the second round in the 2014–2015 season, when they defeated Schalke in the first round. In their opening match of this cup round, Dresden had defeated Regionalliga side Westfalia Rhynern 6–0. 

Dzeko with the first chance

Due to pyrotechnics set off during Dynamo’s choreography and the resulting smoke, referee Wolfgang Haslberger delayed the kickoff by two minutes. Schalke came out strong right away, but Edin Dzeko (2nd) didn’t get enough power on his header on the first chance.

At the other end, Ben Bobzien (4th) had a clear run on goal—but his shot sailed over the crossbar. Dynamo held their own well; the midfield, in particular, was fiercely contested. After a disastrous backpass by Hasan Kurucay in his own penalty area, Dresden’s Vincent Vermeij (20th minute) had a chance to take the lead from the left side of the box, but his shot went parallel to the goal line. 

Dynamo increasingly took control of the game, but lacked precision in the final third. Schalke’s coordination issues were evident, as coach Muslic had to do without seven regular starters in Dresden. The defense was solid, but the offense was practically nonexistent.

Karius was unlucky on the 0–1 goal

Dzeko repeatedly dropped deep to act as a target man and tried to make an impact—mostly in vain. Shortly before the halftime whistle, Schalke’s Hee-Chan Hwang forced Dynamo goalkeeper Lennart Grill into a save with a header.

After the break, the pace picked up. It was precisely during Schalke’s period of pressure that the hosts celebrated: After a cross from Straudi, Covic (54’) got the ball at the far post and slotted it into the near corner—Schalke’s goalkeeper Loris Karius looked rather unlucky as he attempted a save with his leg.

Schalke then stepped up their efforts. Vitalie Becker passed the ball into the middle of the box, but everyone missed it, including Dzeko (74'), who failed to connect with a sliding tackle at the far post. Schalke pressed forward, but Daferner sealed the victory for Dynamo with a goal off a set piece.