Overview
- Saturday’s tie at Stadion Niederrhein closes the second round, with the winner set to face VfB Homberg next week.
- RWE confirm Michael Schultz and Jaka Cuber Potocnik are out injured, Klaus Gjasula is available due to his ban applying only in the league, and Kaito Mizuta’s status remains uncertain after a short trip to Japan.
- Koschinat calls Oberhausen an early “hammer draw” and expects a deep block, targeting quick, vertical attacks down the flanks.
- Titleholder RWE arrive seventh in the 3. Liga after a draw at Aue, while Regionalliga side RWO enter on the back of two league wins and promise a high-energy atmosphere.
- A protective fence now shields the Helmut Rahn statue after an attempted sawing, and RWO has publicly warned that vandalism is not confined to any one fan group.