Alemannia Aachen are returning to the Pokal for the first time since the 2019-20 season, when they were handed a 4-1 loss by eventual champions Bayer Leverkusen.
The Alemannen will be looking to pull off a surprise against their top-flight opponents and secure a spot in the second round for the first time since the 2010-11 season, when they made it to the quarter-finals before being knocked out by Bayern Munich.
The hosts have a solid history in the competition, having reached the final once in the last 20 years and consistently advancing beyond the first round between 2003-04 and 2010-11.
Heiner Backhaus’s squad has had a promising start to their league campaign with a win and a draw, placing them sixth in the standings. However, their tendency to concede in both matches might be a concern against stronger teams like Kiel.
Holstein Kiel, meanwhile, will be keen to assert their superiority over their lower-league rivals and make a strong impression ahead of their debut Bundesliga season.
The Storks earned their promotion by finishing in the top two of the 2023-24 2. Bundesliga, a success overseen by manager Marcel Rapp, who has been at the helm since 2021.
Rapp is aiming for a positive result to build his team’s confidence after a mixed pre-season, where they won just one of four matches, with two losses and a draw.
The newly promoted side advanced past this stage last year and will be aiming to reach the second round of the Pokal for the second consecutive season.
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