The Bundesliga 2 and Liga 3 will take a break this weekend as the first round of the DFB Pokal kicks off. Liga 3 team Ingolstadt will host Bundesliga 2 side Darmstadt in the first round with both sides aiming for progress in the German Cup.
Both sides have started their domestic campaigns in Germany’s lower leagues. Ingolstadt began their Liga 3 campaign with a 1-0 win against Bayreuth.
Nach dem Pokal ist vor dem Pokal 🏆⚫️🔴 "Wir wollen und werden alles versuchen, auch im DFB-Pokal eine Runde weiter zu kommen", blickt Co-Trainer Mike #Krannich auf die anstehende Partie vs. @sv98 im Audi Sportpark (Mo., 1.8., 18.00 Uhr). pic.twitter.com/9MVNcikNou— FC Ingolstadt 04 (@Schanzer) July 27, 2022
Nach dem Pokal ist vor dem Pokal 🏆⚫️🔴 "Wir wollen und werden alles versuchen, auch im DFB-Pokal eine Runde weiter zu kommen", blickt Co-Trainer Mike #Krannich auf die anstehende Partie vs. @sv98 im Audi Sportpark (Mo., 1.8., 18.00 Uhr). pic.twitter.com/9MVNcikNou
Darmstadt, on the other hand, have played twice in the Bundesliga 2 posting three points from six available. Last time out, Darmstadt defeated Sandhausen 2-1.
Although Ingolstadt are a league below Darmstadt, they will fancy their chances of progressing to the second round of the competition. Ingolstadt reached the second round of the DFB Pokal last season, losing to Borussia Dortmund 2-0.
Ingolstadt were relegated from the Bundesliga 2 at the end of last term. They have had recent meetings against Darmstadt.
The last six head-to-head meetings between these teams were split down the middle. Ingolstadt posted 2W-2D-2L against Darmstadt in all competitions across the last six encounters. Darmstadt just edged Ingolstadt in goals scored 10-9.
Darmstadt finished fourth in the Bundesliga 2 last season, just missing out on the relegation/playoff place. This is their sixth straight season in Bundesliga 2 and a cup run could distract the team from earning the ultimate prize, promotion to the top flight.
Darmstadt was eliminated from the DFB Pokal at this stage last season. The Lillies were knocked out of the tournament by 1860 Munchen.
This weekend’s visitors have struggled in front of goal in the Bundesliga 2. Just two goals in two games have been scored.
Marvin Mehlem and Braydon Manu have combined for both goals for Darmstadt in the league. Both players will be in line to start versus Ingolstadt.
Ingolstadt have played just once in the Liga 3. The game ended in a win with Patrick Schmidt getting the game’s only goal. Schmidt should be in line to make a start versus Darmstadt and add to his goals tally.
Two players are on the Darmstadt injury list ahead of the trip to Ingolstadt. Defender Thomas Isherwood is expected to sit out with a muscle injury. Aaron Seydel could miss the game due to an illness.
Ingolstadt goalkeeper Marius Frank is likely to miss the game with a knee injury. Defender Visar Musliu has a tendon issue that will keep him out of the match most likely. Forward David Kopacz is set to miss the game with a ruptured tendon injury.
These teams have recent history with the results split down the middle. The first round DFB Pokal between Ingolstadt and Darmstadt should finish 2-2 with extra-time and possibly penalties need to sort out the winner.