M★RZEC - Man[ager] with a Mission

DFB Pokal, Round 1 | August 5th, 2023
Arminia face penalty-trauma against rival

Round 1 of 2023-2024 DFB Pokal action included a regional derby between 'friendly foes' VfL Osnabrück and Arminia Bielefeld. The advantage seemed to be at the side of Osnabrück, as they played at home, with the visitors also normally playing a tier lower. For Bielefeld, it became a game where it again had to face in what is becoming a 'penalty-trauma'.

Bielefeld started conservative to the game, as they were aware that on paper they would be the lesser side. The effect was that the first half between Osnabrück and Bielefeld was without much action and definitely without any goals - 0:0 at half time.

Arminia attempted to put a bit more daring into their play in the second half, leaving the defense vunerable for counter attacks. Ten minutes into the second half, such a break out was bodychecked by Arminia-defender Can Özcan.

The subsequent penalty was convert was converted. Osnabrück went 1:0 up. A pattern seems to be forming with Bielefeld giving away the strong position achieved by half time.

From the moment Osnabrück went ahead, it never appeared in front of the Bielefelder goal anymore. At the other end, Arminia created its first real goalward chances. The equalizer came from the rebound of such a chance. Fabian Klos attempted a shot twelve yards out, but the ball was deflected to the right flank. Noah Bazee moved the bal back towards the centre where Aygun Yildirim tipped in 1:1.

But the key moment of the game was in the 81st minute, when Erik Engelhardt received a direct red card for a charge on Arminia-midfielder Sam Schleck. Osnabrück was now a man down, while Schleck got replaced by Nassim Boujellab.

Boujellab's first ball contact was a direct deep going pass, perfect for the angle and speed of the moving Yildirim, who upgraded his production to a brace.

The home side desperately attempted to draw even, but by doing so ignored all defensive duties. Before the final whistle, Yildirim was sent deep once more. One on one with goalie Philipp Kühn, the attacker kept cool and made his third, handing his side the first win of the season, which they celebrated exuberantly on the Osnabrück pitch!

"I think that penalty triggered the same thought within all of us" a jubelant Daniel Marzec said when celebrating is team's 3:1 cup win. "We wouldn't allow that yet another penalty would ruin our game a third time in a row."

Arminia Bielefeld will face Bundesliga side Werder Bremen in round 2 of the German Cup, which will be played in the last week of September.