Mainz and Gladbach advance comfortably to the second DFB-Pokal round, Union labor on

Mainz dominates and takes its chances

Borussia Mönchengladbach also delivered an impressive display and progressed to the next round with a clear win. Die Fohlen were focused in both phases of the game and were rewarded early for their superiority on the ball. In doing so, Gladbach carried its recent positive form into the national cup competition as well.

Gladbach convinces in both phases of the game

The afternoon unfolded differently for Union Berlin. The Köpenicker side unexpectedly struggled against a fifth-tier opponent and came under pressure at times. It was only late on that Die Eisernen finally turned the tie decisively in their favor and secured progression.

Union scrapes past the fifth-tier side

A major share in Union's fortunate win was attributable to captain Christopher Trimmel, who was on hand with his experience and vision in the decisive moments. Philipp Mwene and Kevin Stöger, both in the Berlin squad, also contributed to the narrow win with their performances. The slim yield against a clearly inferior opponent is likely to raise questions for the coaching staff, though.

Outlook on the second-round draw

The draw for the second DFB-Pokal round has yet to take place and is expected in the coming days. Both Mainz and Gladbach, as well as Union, will be hoping for manageable ties in order to continue their run in the cup. All three clubs have experienced different cup fortunes in the past, with Mainz and Gladbach in particular generating positive headlines of late.

Looking ahead to the league matches next weekend, all three clubs will take differing amounts of confidence from their cup outings. While Mainz and Gladbach will go into their next tasks with broad chests, Union faces the task of quickly analyzing the weaknesses on display. The cup remains a worthwhile target for all three clubs, since reaching the DFB-Pokal final once again would deliver considerable value both sporting-wise and financially.

Cup record and history of the three clubs

In the history of the DFB-Pokal, all three clubs have already appeared in finals. Union Berlin celebrated one of the greatest successes in the club's history in 2001 by winning the DFB-Pokal with a victory over FC Schalke 04. Mainz and Gladbach have also featured in the final, winning the cup once each, although Mainz's most recent triumph dates back several decades.