I don’t tend to take domestic cups too seriously until the semifinals, unless there are some big draws earlier in the competition. In comparison to other cup competitions, the DFB Pokal has managed to retain a sense of occasion even in their earlier rounds. Partly this is because the competition is well-staggered, so there is anticipation when it actually comes around. On top of that, the games are always played midweek and decided in one leg.
Then you have the matchups that in their own way, intertwine with the story of the league. For example, Leipzig are visiting Frankfurt in their round of 16 clash, just ten days after a damaging defeat in the league at the same venue. In addition to progression, it's also a chance for Leipzig to make a statement that they can handle tough occasions mentally. There’s also a repeat of last year’s game when Werder Bremen knocked out Borussia Dortmund. Dortmund should have won after leading three times, but contrived to lose on penalties. It was no surprise that BVB then drew their next three league games to throw away the initiative in the title race. Will they exorcise those demons this time around? Bayern are hosting Hoffenheim which serves as a good reference point for Hansi Flick, considering Niko Kovac lost the same fixture in the league rather embarrassingly. These are just some of the interesting storylines.
To top it all off, the DFB is live streaming these matches legally on YouTube the world over. I think this an example of great outreach by a federation and league that are fan friendly at their core. Instead of selling tv rights for a cup competition that might not have natural viewership around the world, they are going directly to the fans. Football fans get to watch some quality football played out in front of some great atmospheres free of charge and the DFB gets to promote their cup while generating more interest in German football. It truly is a win-win and I hope other federations follow in the DFB’s footsteps when it comes to broadening access.