German Cup Update

Schweinsteiger: Bayern brace

DFB Pokal holders Bayern Munich overcame last year's finalists Werder Bremen 2-1 at the Allianz Arena to advance to the third round of the competition. Meanwhile, Energie Cottbus shocked Bundesliga outfit Freiburg and managerless Cologne enjoyed some respite with a much needed win against Munich 1860.

Claudio Pizarro gave Werder Bremen the lead after just two minutes but Louis van Gaal's struggling Bayern Munich side struck back thanks to a brace from Bastian Schweinsteiger to go through. Bremen, who reached the German Cup final two years in a row and lost last year's final 4-0 to Bayern missed a handful of good chances before Schweinsteiger scored the winner. 

Second division outfit Energie Cottbus caused a major upset by knocking out in-form Freiburg 2-1. A Marc-Andre Kruska penalty and Emil Jula goals were enough despite Papiss Demba Cisse's earlier equaliser.

Schalke were made to work hard as they recorded a 1-0 success at FSV Frankfurt. The club's summer signing from Atletico Madrid Jose Jurado scored the only goal of the game in the 12th minute.

Bundesliga bottom side Cologne enjoyed some respite from their troubled season with a much needed 3-0 win against Munich 1860 to ease into the next round. Cologne, who have endured a difficult start to the season, sacked coach Zvonimir Soldo over the weekend following Saturday's 2-1 defeat at Hannover. However, the Billy Goats made light work of their league two opponents at the Rhein Energie Stadion thanks to goals from Martin Lanig, Milivoje Novakovic and Lukas Podolski.

VfL Wolfsburg defeated fifth division side Victoria Hamburg thanks to a comfortable 3-1 victory. The Bundesliga outfit took the early lead through Slovak Peter Pekarik's header with Brazil international Josue slotting home a second. Marcel Schaefer added a third to seal a spot in the next round before the hosts pulled a late goal back.

Kaiserslautern advanced to the next round with a 3-0 win against Arminia Bielefeld. Croatian striker Srdan Lakic was the hero for the hosts thanks to a superb hat-trick.

Third division Koblenz stunned Hertha Berlin 2-1 helped by a stunning goal from Michael Stahl at the Stadion Oberwerth. Second division leaders Hertha endured their first defeat of the season as Stahl opened the scoring with an audacious strike from inside his own half which sailed over goalkeeper Marco Sejna.

Marcus Steegmann added a second from the spot with 10-man Hertha replying late on.

The all-second division game between Bavarian rivals Greuther Furth and Augsburg went to extra-time after the game had finished 1-1 in 90 minutes. The visiting team eventually came out on top but only after four goals in the extra 30 minutes. Angolan striker Rafael bagged a brace and Michael Thurk wrapped up the win in the final minute.

Best Regards,

Tauqeer Ahmed