The outsider welcomes the “big one” – this is the attraction of the DFB Cup, especially in the first rounds. At the start of the 2020/21 season, however, the “little ones” will have to travel to the professional clubs. Jörg Schmadtke, manager of VfL Wolfsburg, said on Sunday: “Before the start of the European qualification, we play the first round in the DFB Cup – probably with a changed home right, because it is not clear whether the amateur clubs can implement the hygiene concept.“
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The top clubs would be spared trips to amateur clubs under these conditions – but the smaller clubs and their own fans would also miss the chance to greet top clubs such as FC Bayern or Borussia Dortmund in their home sports facilities. For example, Bayern have met clubs such as FC Nöttingen, Carl Zeiss Jena, SV Drochtersen / Assel and Energie Cottbus in the first round in recent years, BVB among others on the Stuttgart Kickers, Eintracht Trier or the 1. FC Rielasingen-Arlen.
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For VfL Wolfsburg, the corona-related exchange of home law means that at least one trip away in September is no longer necessary – and that is good for the club. Because of all the Bundesliga teams, the Lower Saxony have the biggest stress of appointments in late summerbecause they have to qualify for the Europa League as seventh in the Bundesliga. And that should start for Wolfsburg on September 17, i.e. on Thursday after the DFB Cup weekend. “As of now, that’s the way it is,” confirms Schmadtke, who is also a member of the DFL Football Commission.
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Wolfsburg plan for the start of the season: Europa League final tournament, cup and EL qualification
The plan for VfL at the start of the season then looks like this: The players come back from vacation on July 22nd, after two corona tests, the first team training is due on July 25th. Less than two weeks later (August 5th / 6th) the Europa League return leg from the old season against Donetsk is scheduled. This game will probably not take place in Ukraine, but in North Rhine-Westphalia, where the EL final tournament with eight teams will then take place at four venues. Should VfL prevail despite the 1: 2 first-leg loss to Donetsk, he would be part of this tournament.
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At the end of August, the international players have to join their selection teams, and they return on September 8 – only three days later, the competitive season 2020/21 begins with the DFB Cup. And for VfL with an English week: Cup on Saturday or Sunday, first qualifying game for the Europa League on Thursday, Bundesliga premiere on Sunday.
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Cup miracle: The greatest sensations in the history of the DFB Cup
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The Berlin AK swept Hoffenheim 4-0 in 2012, Vestenbergsgreuth defeated the German champions FC Bayern by goalkeeper Oliver Kahn 1: 0 in 1994. Of the SPORTBUZZER shows the greatest sensations in the history of the DFB Cup.
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Schmadtke: “The schedule in September is very compact and not ideal”
“The schedule in September is very compact and not ideal,” says Schmadtke. “It would have been fine for us if we hadn’t had the first term of office. The players must go straight from the preparation in two competitive games with the national teams. This is also difficult for the national coach because he has different requirements for the individual players. It’s a challenge – because he also has to be careful not to miss the players. “
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In theory, VfL could even avoid participating in the EL qualification – by winning the “old” Europa League and secure a place in the Champions League. Schmadtke grinning: “There are only four games in the Europa League, I would not defend myself against it …” Especially since the sporting conditions in August are difficult to calculate – also because other national leagues run well into July and that Players cannot go on vacation there. Schmadtke: “The clubs then have to bridge time, which can be an advantage for us.”
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VfL Wolfsburg against Bayern – The pictures
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Robin Knoche was said goodbye before the game
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On Sunday after the 0: 4 against Bayern, the Wolfsburg professionals started their vacation – after a meal together in the VfL Center. The players got training plans and rules of conduct. Schmadtke: “They know that there are certain areas that they should avoid on vacation. And they know where to report when something happens.“Schmadtke doesn’t believe that the professionals are reckless.” Our players have already chosen their travel destinations sensibly. “
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Weekends 25/26 July then begins preparation for the rest of the old season and the new season. “We don’t do a training camp, we do the preparation here in Wolfsburg,” says Schmadtke. Test games are planned, but opponents and exact game dates have not yet been determined. With the Schmadtke expects the venue for the Donetsk game to be decided on July 10thBy then, the draw for the EL qualifiers should also have taken place.
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