In the DFB Cup competition, Brych suffers a defeat at the hands of KSC.
The stage is set for an exciting encounter in the second round of the DFB-Pokal, as Karlsruher SC (KSC) will face Borussia Mönchengladbach. This highly-anticipated matchup is scheduled for October 28 and 29.
KSC, currently in the second division, stands to receive an additional prize money of 847,544 euros if they manage to advance to the round of 16. This is a significant boost for the team, especially considering that the prize money for winning the first round was approximately 423,772 euros.
The history between these two teams is not extensive, but it is intriguing. KSC has won one out of the three duels they have had, with their most recent encounter dating back to the 2008/2009 Bundesliga season. The last match ended in a 0-0 draw, followed by a 0-1 loss for KSC. However, KSC did manage to secure a 1-0 victory in extra time in their only previous duel, way back in January 1980.
Felix Brych, a referee with extensive experience officiating KSC matches, will oversee this crucial encounter. Brych has officiated 25 matches between KSC and various teams between 2002 and 2023. Interestingly, KSC has won 10 and lost 10 of the matches officiated by Brych.
The pairings for the second round of the DFB-Pokal are as follows: FV Illertissen vs 1. FC Magdeburg, Energie Cottbus vs RB Leipzig, 1. FC Köln vs Bayern Munich, FC St. Pauli vs TSG Hoffenheim, Union Berlin vs Arminia Bielefeld, 1. FC Heidenheim vs Hamburger SV, Borussia Mönchengladbach vs Karlsruher SC, SpVgg Greuther Fürth vs 1. FC Kaiserslautern, Eintracht Frankfurt vs Borussia Dortmund, FC Augsburg vs VfL Bochum, Fortuna Düsseldorf vs SC Freiburg, FSV Mainz 05 vs VfB Stuttgart, Hertha BSC vs SV Elversberg, SV Darmstadt 98 vs Schalke 04, SC Paderborn vs Bayer Leverkusen, VfL Wolfsburg vs Holstein Kiel.
The second round of the DFB-Pokal falls during "English week" for KSC, with their match against Borussia Mönchengladbach sandwiched between their away game in Fürth and their home game against Schalke 04.
As for the specific matchup in the round of 32 in 2026 involving the 4th placed second-division team, it is yet to be determined, as pairings for that round depend on the outcomes and draws following the 2nd round. The draw for the round of 16 is scheduled for November 2, 2025, after the round of 32 matches are played at the end of October 2025. The DFB-Pokal continues with the round of 16 on December 2 and 3, 2023, followed by the quarter-finals on February 3 and 4, 2026, the semi-finals on April 21 and 22, 2026, and the final on May 23, 2026.
KSC will need to be at their best to avoid an upset, much like Borussia Mönchengladbach did in the first round against amateur club Atlas Delmenhorst. Regardless of the outcome, this promises to be a thrilling encounter between two teams with a rich history and a hunger for success.
