On paper, it’s no contest. BFC Dynamo, who finished 15th in the North East regional division last season, facing up against five times DFB-Pokal winners FC Schalke 04. However, in a cup game, anything can happen as the Berliners are more than aware of. The first-round clash takes place on Monday 14th August at 18:30 CEST.
“It’s clear that we’re in no means favourites for this game but we’ll be difficult opponents who’ll battle on every blade of grass on the pitch”, said BFC head coach René Rydlewicz. “We’ll give it all we’ve got. I can promise that.” Rydlewicz, who beat Schalke six times in his playing career, is focusing on their home advantage. “The atmosphere in the Friedrich Ludwig Jan Sportpark will be unbelievable,” believes the 44-year-old. “More than 20,000 fans are expected and the stadium is sold out. It’ll be a celebration for us all as a football club.”
Schalke have no interest in letting the regional tier side have any reason to celebrate. With new head coach Domenico Tedesco on the touchline, the Gelsenkirchen-based club want to do their position as favourites justice. However, S04 have to be careful. In the 2014-15 season, Schalke were knocked out in the first round by Dynamo Dresden where the Bundesliga club were clear favourites against the third division side at the time.
On paper, it’s no contest. BFC Dynamo, who finished 15th in the North East regional division last season, facing up against five times DFB-Pokal winners FC Schalke 04. However, in a cup game, anything can happen as the Berliners are more than aware of. The first-round clash takes place on Monday 14th August at 18:30 CEST.
“It’s clear that we’re in no means favourites for this game but we’ll be difficult opponents who’ll battle on every blade of grass on the pitch”, said BFC head coach René Rydlewicz. “We’ll give it all we’ve got. I can promise that.” Rydlewicz, who beat Schalke six times in his playing career, is focusing on their home advantage. “The atmosphere in the Friedrich Ludwig Jan Sportpark will be unbelievable,” believes the 44-year-old. “More than 20,000 fans are expected and the stadium is sold out. It’ll be a celebration for us all as a football club.”
Schalke have no interest in letting the regional tier side have any reason to celebrate. With new head coach Domenico Tedesco on the touchline, the Gelsenkirchen-based club want to do their position as favourites justice. However, S04 have to be careful. In the 2014-15 season, Schalke were knocked out in the first round by Dynamo Dresden where the Bundesliga club were clear favourites against the third division side at the time.
