1. FC Nürnberg edge Viktoria Köln 5:4 on penalties in DFB-Pokal opener

First-half stalemate in Cologne

1. FC Nürnberg secured qualification to the second round of the DFB-Pokal following a 5:4 penalty shootout victory against 3. Liga side FC Viktoria Köln. The visitors, who entered the fixture leading the 2. Bundesliga with six points from their opening two league matches, struggled to establish offensive momentum in the opening period. Viktoria Köln created the more dangerous early chances, forcing Fynn Otto to clear a shot from Castelle out for a corner in the sixth minute. Two minutes later, the hosts missed the target by a narrow margin following another set piece. Nürnberg dominated possession throughout the first 45 minutes but failed to penetrate a compact Cologne defensive line, sending the teams into the break tied at 0:0.

Scobel opens the scoring and late equalizer

Miroslav Klose adjusted his tactical setup during the break, prompting an improved pressing display and greater ball recovery in advanced positions. The tactical adjustments paid off in the 56th minute when forward Piet Scobel finished a flowing attacking move to put Nürnberg 1:0 ahead in front of 3,500 traveling supporters. Cologne pushed forward in response, with substitute Noah Maboulou breaking clear in the 63rd minute before hitting a weak 15-meter effort wide of the target. After Javier Fernandez missed an opportunity to extend the lead for the visitors, Cologne found a way back in the sixth minute of second-half stoppage time. Meiko Sponsel met a free-kick delivery from Pascal Fallmann to head home the equalizer and force extra time and penalties.

For me personally, penalty shootouts never need to happen. I am still at the end of my nerves. I am just glad that we are through to the next round.

Reichert delivers in the penalty shootout

The penalty shootout mirrored the tension of Nürnberg's previous campaign, when the club suffered an early exit against fourth-tier FV Illertissen on spot-kicks. Giannis Masouras and Javier Fernandez failed to convert their attempts for Nürnberg, keeping the contest finely balanced. Goalkeeper and captain Jan Reichert, who had previously saved a penalty during the 4:2 league derby win over SpVgg Greuther Fürth, stepped forward again by denying both Pascal Fallmann and Niklas Jahn. Niklas Swider sent another attempt over the crossbar for the hosts, sealing the 5:4 shootout win for the 2. Bundesliga club.

In the end, you have to say that we are the lucky winner. Viktoria Köln did very well today and we struggled to find the right spaces. In the end, a penalty shootout is always luck.

Tactical reflections and financial boost

Head coach Miroslav Klose reflected critically on his squad's sluggish start while acknowledging the parity displayed across the 90 minutes. He noted that defensive structure and spatial awareness required clear instruction during the interval.

Just like in the derby, we simply did not get into our game well, we were too sluggish and did not find the right spaces. We showed the boys a few things at half-time, after which we were better in the game. Looking at the big picture, the 1:1 equalizer is still fair.

Advancing to the second round earns Nürnberg over 400,000 euros in prize money, with the next cup fixture scheduled for late October. The club previously suffered first-round elimination on penalties against fourth-tier FV Illertissen a year earlier. The squad now shifts focus back to maintaining its lead at the top of the 2. Bundesliga table.