Alemannia Aachen is making their first appearance in the Pokal since the 2019-20 season, when they were defeated 4-1 by the eventual champions, Bayer Leverkusen.
The Alemannen are targeting an upset against their top-tier opponents and a spot in the second round for the first time since 2010-11, when they reached the quarter-finals before being knocked out by Bayern Munich.
The hosts have a commendable history in the competition, having reached the final once in the last two decades and consistently advancing past the first round between 2003-04 and 2010-11.
Heiner Backhaus’s team has had a solid start to their league campaign, securing a win and a draw, which places them sixth in the standings. However, their tendency to concede in both matches could be a concern against stronger sides like Kiel.
Holstein Kiel will aim to assert their dominance over their lower-league opponents and make a strong impression ahead of their inaugural Bundesliga season.
The Storks earned promotion by finishing in the top two of the 2023-24 2. Bundesliga, a success achieved under the leadership of manager Marcel Rapp, who has been in charge since 2021.
Rapp is looking for a strong result to build his team’s confidence after a mixed pre-season, where they won only one of four matches, losing two and drawing one.
The newly promoted club progressed past this stage last season and will be aiming to reach the second round of the Pokal for the second year running.
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