FC St. Pauli cup tie: Rot-Weiss Essen's Ben Hüning optimistic about chances against Hamburg's FC St. Pauli
Rot-Weiss Essen, the Bundesliga team from Hamburg, started the new season with two draws. However, Abwehr-Chef Ben Hüning (21) is optimistic that his team will be able to hold their own against FC St. Pauli in the DFB-Pokal. "I think we will be able to hold our own against St. Pauli. Here at the Hafenstraße, it's known that a lot is possible. Especially in the DFB-Pokal, at an evening game in front of a home crowd. That will be very cool." said Hüning.
Why it matters
The DFB-Pokal is an important competition for Rot-Weiss Essen. The Pott-Klub must prove themselves in the first round against SV Sonsbeck (Oberliga) in the Niederrheinpokal. A crucial game, because the competition is the golden ticket for the DFB-Pokal, if it does not succeed over the league (RWE must be in the top 4).
What comes next?
On Sunday (18:00/Sky) the first round of the DFB-Pokal will take place. With St. Pauli, a big challenge comes to the Hafenstraße. But just after the first win, Essen's Hüning seems to have a broad chest. "If we appear as a team like against Havelse and stable, I reckon us good chances. Then a good second-divisionist must come and win." said Hüning.
The prize money
Fact is: In the previous Pokal season, RWE was eliminated in the first round against the Revier neighbor from Dortmund (0:1). However, the Drittligist showed a remarkable performance and brought the BVB to despair several times. This should now be repeated from RWE's point of view and end successfully in the best case. Finally, it's also about the prize money of 423,772 euros. A lot of money for the third-divisionist - money that would create further playing spaces.
The current numbers
Rot-Weiss Essen is currently in 18th place in the Bundesliga after the first matchday of the new season. The team has 26 points and has played 34 games with 6 wins, 8 draws and 20 losses. The current numbers are: 29 goals scored, 60 goals conceded (-31 goal difference). The team is 63 points behind the leaders Bayern München. The next game is on October 10, 2026 against Karlsruher SC at home.
