Borussia Dortmund defeated Eintracht Frankfurt 4-2 on penalties in the DFB-Pokal after a 1-1 draw. Goalkeeper Gregor Kobel saved two penalties to secure the BVB's advancement to the round of 16. Coach Niko Kovač celebrated a win at his former stomping grounds.
In the DFB-Pokal second round, Borussia Dortmund faced Eintracht Frankfurt on Tuesday evening. Before 59,300 spectators at Deutsche Bank Park, the game started ideally for the hosts: Ansgar Knauff scored in the 7th minute after a through ball from ex-Dortmund player Mario Götze. Dortmund, coached by Niko Kovač who won the cup with Frankfurt in 2018, had rotated – Serhou Guirassy was on the bench, Maxi Beier started.
After the break, Julian Brandt equalized in the 48th minute. The goal stood despite Beier being offside earlier – referee Sven Jablonski and his assistants missed it, as no video assistant is used in the DFB-Pokal before the round of 16. Frankfurt had chances afterward: Ritsu Dōan hit the crossbar (80.), Can Uzun was denied by Kobel (81.). In extra time, a Frankfurt lead attempt by Jonathan Burkardt was disallowed for offside (115.).
In the penalty shootout, all Dortmund takers converted, while Farès Chaïbi and Ritsu Dōan missed for Frankfurt. Kobel saved Chaïbi's shot. “I am a lifetime member, that's why I am happy to come to Frankfurt,” Kovač had said beforehand. Dortmund thus avoids an early exit like last year against Wolfsburg. The round of 16 is scheduled for December 2 and 3. Frankfurt now focuses on the league and Europa League.