Around 550 people live in Krieschow; no smaller village has ever been represented in the DFB Cup. The local Oberliga side are dreaming of an upset against Mainz 05.
Gabriel Vidovic are having a third attempt in the top flight of German football: after spells at his youth club Bayern Munich and Mainz, he is now joining promoted side SC Paderborn, according to Croatian media reports.
With United safe in third, Forest visit Old Trafford knowing they will avoid relegation. In Germany, Hoffenheim and Heidenheim have differing scenarios.
Bayern Munich arrived at Mainz in a celebratory mood, having already secured the Bundesliga title and booked their place in the DFB-Pokal final earlier in the week. However, that high spirits quickly evaporated during a disastrous first half where a heavily rotated side fell three goals behind following strikes from Dominik Kohr, Paul Nebel, and Sheraldo Becker. Harry Kane has hailed Bayern Munich’s incredible powers of recovery after they clawed back to beat Mainz 4-3.
Following the goalless draw in the first leg, a goal scored shortly after the restart in the home leg laid the foundation for Mainz’s progression to the next round.
Bayern Munich’s frustration following their stalemate with Mainz has been compounded by the confirmation that Manuel Neuer will miss the final fixture of 2025 through injury, handing another crucial opportunity to backup option Jonas Urbig.
Rock bottom Mainz were mightily close to shocking Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena before a late Harry Kane penalty rescued a fortunate point for the Bavarian giants. Vincent Kompany’s side were unimpressive at home and struggled to break down a stubborn Mainz defence, but battled back to draw 2-2 and maintain their unbeaten record in the Bundesliga this season.
Mainz defender Dominik Kohr deserves a massive 12-match suspension following his red card for a brutal tackle on Hoffenheim's Max Moerstedt, according to World Cup winner Olaf Thon. The defender was shown a straight red card for his challenge in the late stages of the 1-1 draw in the Bundesliga, the ninth time he has been sent off in his professional career.
Mainz 05
