Coach Roger Schmidt fielded the same side that started the final pre-season friendly against Real Sociedad. Calhanoglu and Julian Baumgartlinger were on the bench. In front of a 4,000 crowd, including 800 Bayer 04 fans, the game flowed one way from the kick-off and the Hauenstein players responded by taking a robust approach to challenges from the first minute. They certainly left their mark on Tin Jedvaj and Bellarabi. The first clear chance of the game came on 15 minutes: Benny Henrichs put in a cross for Admir Mehmedi to hit a shot on the turn towards the far corner of the Hauenstein net but the goalkeeper Kevin Urban was just able tip the ball away.
The fifth-tier opposition did a good job and stood up to the dominant Werkself. Leverkusen also lacked the necessary determination, tempo and accuracy going forward during this stage of the game. Bernd Leno was even called into action to keep out a tricky shot from Lukas Hartlieb on 25 minutes. At the other end, Chicharito missed a good chance in a promising position on 31 minutes. Bayer 04 found it tough going in the first 30 minutes despite their superiority and numerous corners. They were also out of luck when Aránguiz hit the bar from a free kick on 36 minutes.
Chicharito cool as ice
The long-awaited opener came just before the half-time break: Kevin Kampl put the ball though to Mehmedi who picked out Chicharito and he made no mistake from six yards out as he lobbed his shot over Urban into the net to make it 1-0 on 39 minutes. The two sides went in to the break with the Werkself maintaining a narrow but deserved lead.
Bayer 04 were very lucky after the restart with the defence looking disorganised. Jesper Brechtel put a shot just wide of the far post in a one-on-one with Leno on 49 minutes. Julian Baumgartlinger replaced Mehmedi on the hour mark, Kevin Kampl moved up to take the position of the Swiss striker. The lively Henrichs had a chance to make it 2-0 on 65 minutes but the Hauenstein keeper was able to make the save after a smart one-two with Aránguiz.
Bellarabi doubles lead
A corner from Aránguiz lead to the next goal: Chicharito squared the ball and Bellarabi had no problem scoring the second goal for the Werkself on 67 minutes. Substitute Calhanoglu hit the post from a free kick on 79 minutes. And suddenly the underdogs came back into the game: A header from Srzentic from a free kick was deflected by Baumgartlinger past the helpless Leno to make it 2-1 with nine minutes to play. It was a tight finish with Jedvaj clearing off the line on 89 minutes. The tie ended with a deserved if also less than impressive 2-1 win for the Werkself.
The opener in the DFB Cup is followed next weekend by the first Bundesliga outing of the new season for the Werkself – with the top match against Borussia Mönchengladbach on Saturday 27 August at 18.30 CET.
Match stats:
SC Hauenstein: Urban – Srzentic, Hartlieb, Klück, Brechtel (Albrecht 66’), Bormeth, Schwehm, Abele, Kupper, Nishinaka (Schacker 72’), Ando (Haag 66’)
Bayer 04: Leno – Jedvaj, Tah, Toprak, Henrichs – Kampl, Aránguiz – Bellarabi (Calhanoglu 74’), Mehmedi (Baumgartlinger 59’) – Volland, Chicharito (Kruse 88’)
Goals: 0-1 Chicharito (39’), 0-2 Bellarabi (67’), 1-2 Srzentic (81’)
Referee: Badstübner (Windsbach)
Booked: Ando, Brechtel, Klück, Haag – Chicharito, Jedvaj
Attendance: 4,000
Trophies as a youth, appearances in the pro game and his first taste of international competition: new arrival Luca Erlein, who has been signed from TSG Hoffenheim, can already look back on some remarkable achievements and moments in his fledgling career. We take a closer look at the 19-year-old right-back, who can also fill other roles across the defensive line.
Show more
Bayer 04 Leverkusen has a new coffee partner. The club has agreed a long-term partnership with the Bocholt-based roastery Imping, running to 30 June 2031. The exclusive partnership with the family-run business includes the installation of fully automatic coffee machines at the BayArena, as well as the right to supply and serve coffee products in the business areas during Werkself home games.
Show more
Plenty going on both on and off the pitch: The Bayer 04 fan support team has organised a number of highlights for fans visiting the Werkself 2026/27 summer training camp in Blankenhain, in the Weimarer Land region. Registration for the events is now open. All the details at a glance.
Show more
The Bayer 04 Leverkusen Women’s team and s2-Software are continuing their long-term partnership: The Werkself and the provider of pre-owned Microsoft licences have extended their contract by two years to 2028. This means s2-Software will remain the Bayer 04 sleeve sponsor for all matches in the Google Pixel Women’s Bundesliga.
Show more
BIOGENA is the new performance partner for the Bayer 04 Leverkusen Women’s team. Under a partnership initially set to run for three years, the club and the leading Austrian micronutrient company are pooling their expertise in the areas of health, fitness and top-level performance.
Show more
