Borussia Dortmund opened their German Cup campaign with a commanding 5-0 victory against fifth-division side HEBC Hamburg on Tuesday. The match, held at the 57,000-capacity Volkspark Stadion, drew a record crowd of 45,917 for a fixture involving a fifth-tier opponent, providing a significant financial boost to the amateur club.
The hosts managed to frustrate the 2024 Champions League finalists for the first 30 minutes. However, the deadlock broke in the 33rd minute when HEBC conceded an own goal. Daniel Svensson doubled the lead just three minutes later, and 18-year-old Samuele Inacio effectively ended any hopes of an upset by scoring a brace before the half-time whistle.
Fabio Silva added a fifth goal shortly before the hour mark to finalize the scoreline. Despite the lopsided result, HEBC goalkeeper Jannik Schoon earned praise for an expert save against Felix Nmecha. Schoon, who works as a teacher aide, noted that he had already secured Wednesday off from his day job. HEBC captain Janek Wrede, who also works as a scout for Hamburg, led the amateur side in a match moved from their usual 2,500-seat home ground.
Dortmund coach Niko Kovac utilized the match to rotate his squad, making seven changes to his starting lineup. The club also utilized the day to confirm the deadline-day arrival of 19-year-old attacker Ethan Nwaneri on a season-long loan from Arsenal. Nwaneri, who spent the latter half of the previous season at Marseille, joins as injury cover for Giannis Konstantelias, who suffered a serious knee injury shortly after scoring on his Bundesliga debut this past Saturday.
Sporting director Lars Ricken described the English teenager as “the best possible sporting solution” to address the sudden roster gap. German media reports indicate that the loan agreement does not include an option for Dortmund to purchase the player permanently. The report also notes that the official attendance was 45,917, a German Cup record for a match involving a fifth-tier team, while much of the revenue will flow to HEBC, despite surrendering home advantage with much of the crowd bathed in Dortmund yellow. The report also notes that teenage forward Inacio then bagged a brace before half-time to put any hopes of a shock upset well beyond doubt. The report also notes that who spent the second half of last season on loan at Ligue 1 side Marseille, comes in as cover for the injured Giannis Konstantelias, the 19-year-old.
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