Bayer Leverkusen has made it to the second round of the DFB Cup on its mission to defend its title, despite unexpected problems. With a lot of effort, the double winner, who initially rested some of his regular players such as national player Florian Wirtz, narrowly won the first round catch-up game against the bravely fighting regional league team Carl Zeiss Jena 1-0 (0-0). However, the clear favorite led by coach Xabi Alonso found it more difficult than expected.
Xabi Alonso took a deep breath, clapped the winning goal scorer Jonas Hofmann and raised his hands almost apologetically in front of the fan block: With a lot of luck and very little brilliance, defending champion Bayer Leverkusen trembled into the second round of the DFB Cup. After the 1-0 (0-0) victory against the bravely fighting fourth division team Carl Zeiss Jena, the double winners even had to listen to mocking chants from the Thuringian fans.
“We know that it wasn’t good enough from us today. In the end, we’re happy that we’ve progressed,” said Leverkusen international Robert Andrich on Sky: “Afterwards, we’ll have to talk about what we played here for 90 minutes. That’s not enough, even against a regional league team.”
Like most of coach Alonso’s team, Andrich played well below his usual level. Instead of being in awe, the Jena fans were scornful of the clear favorite from the Rhine and sang: “And you want to be German champions?” Alonso commented dryly: “That’s typical of the cup. Jena did well, fighting until the last minute.”
Hofmann (52nd) shot Bayer, who were without several stars like Florian Wirtz in the starting line-up, to the planned obligatory victory against the unbeaten leaders of the Regionalliga Nordost, who were a very tough opponent. “We believed we had a certain chance, and we succeeded,” said Jena’s coach Henning Bürger after the last game of the first round of the cup – because of Leverkusen’s participation in the Supercup, the game had to be postponed by a week and a half.
Jena fans celebrate at halftime
The draw on Sunday in Dortmund will determine who the Werkself will face in the next round. The day before (6.30 p.m./Sky), however, they will play the top Bundesliga match against RB Leipzig.
In front of 15,000 spectators, Leverkusen initially had problems creating clear chances as Jena fought back strongly – which is why a set piece was needed for the first big chance. Boniface substitute Patrik Schick (25th) shot only into the side netting after a corner from Aleix Garcia. The biggest chance of the first half was missed by Amine Adli (31st), who hit the right post.
Jena’s fans celebrated the 0:0 at half-time with frenetic applause almost like a victory, but for Alonso the draw meant the need for a change. The Basque brought on European champion Alejandro Grimaldo for Arthur after half-time – and the left-back struck immediately. After his cross, Hofmann, completely unpressured, headed the ball in easily. But Jena did not give up – in injury time, Hamza Muqaj missed a huge chance to equalize.
Source: www.sport.de
