Rot-Weiss Essen will host RB Leipzig in the second round of the DFB-Pokal. For the second time in the space of three seasons, RW Essen will welcome RB Leipzig for an early-stage DFB-Pokal encounter.
Rot-Weiss Essen Campaign and Squad Standing
Rot-Weiss Essen enter the fixture after missing out on promotion to the 2. Bundesliga via the playoffs last season. The team sits third in the 3. Liga standings after 11 rounds with six wins, three draws, and two losses. They advanced past the first round of the DFB-Pokal for the first time in four years by defeating St. Pauli 2-0 at home, with Marek Janssen and Semir Telalovic scoring the goals. Telalovic leads the team with six league goals this season, though the striker is unavailable due to a shoulder injury.
RB Leipzig Bundesliga Form and Cup History
RB Leipzig travel to Essen as two-time cup champions following a victory over Eintracht Trier where they scored three goals in both halves in the first round. Martin Demichelis’ side sits as the second-highest scoring team in the Bundesliga, powered by a 4-0 win over Elversberg that featured a brace from substitute Romulo and a backheel assist from debutant Abdoul Kone. Yet, Demichelis’ men have been unsuccessful in all three of their Bundesliga matches on the road, a run featuring a 6-0 loss to FC Bayern on matchday 6. Christopher Nkunku leads the visitors with four Bundesliga goals this season, but he remains sidelined with a groin injury.
Squad update ahead of #RWERBL 📋⏸️ Maxime Estève (knock) and Christopher Nkunku (adductors) will not travel to Essen as a precaution.🧤 Ørjan Nyland will also start tomorrow's cup match.❌ Assan Ouédraogo (shoulder) and Marc Guiu (muscle injury) remain sidelined. pic.twitter.com/bjc0lzECwK
Head-to-Head History and Match Analysis
The two clubs previously met in the first round of the 2024/25 DFB-Pokal season, where RB Leipzig secured a 4-1 away victory highlighted by an Antonio Nusa debut goal. Rot-Weiss Essen carry an unbeaten record of six wins and one draw across their last seven competitive home matches.
Matchday Squad Absences
Rot-Weiss Essen miss injured top scorer Semir Telalovic alongside fellow striker Jaka Cuber Potocnik, who sustained an early injury during a narrow victory over Regensburg. RB Leipzig travel without Christopher Nkunku and summer signing Maxime Esteve, while in-form winger Antonio Nusa is a candidate for rotation ahead of upcoming fixtures against Schalke and Manchester City.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Rot-Weiss Essen last defeat a Bundesliga club in the DFB-Pokal?
Rot-Weiss Essen defeated St. Pauli 2-0 in the first round of the DFB-Pokal, marking their first progression past the opening round in four years.
What was the score when these two teams last met in the cup?
RB Leipzig defeated Rot-Weiss Essen 4-1 away from home in the first round of the 2024/25 DFB-Pokal competition.
Where is the DFB-Pokal second-round match being played?
The fixture takes place at the home ground of Rot-Weiss Essen.
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