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
A first win in the preseason: In the last friendly before the start of a two-week break in training, the Bayer 04 Women beat top-flight Dutch side Ajax 1-0. In the match played over three 30-minute thirds Vanessa Fudalla scored the goal for the Werkself. In the previous two friendlies this summer, the team led by head coach Roberto Pätzold lost 2-0 two Bundesliga rivals TSG Hoffenheim and drew 1-1 with the Dutch team PEC Zwolle.
Show moreAlejo Sarco has joined the Werkself training camp in Brazil. The 19-year-old striker, signed from Argentinian club Vélez Sarsfield in January, talks to bayer04.de about his first six months in Germany, help from Exequiel Palacios and his targets up to the end of the year.
Show moreThe friendly against the CR Flamengo U20 team on Friday, 18 July (kick-off: 14:30/19:30 CEST) represents the sporting highlight of the current Bayer 04 Brazil Tour. Ahead of the clash at the Estádio da Gávea against the highly successful youth team, there was a media event with the two Bayer 04 managing directors Fernando Carro and Simon Rolfes plus head coach Erik ten Hag. The trio talked about the forthcoming opponents, first impressions of Brazil and the reasons for holding the training camp in the land of the five-time World Cup winners. Here are the key statements.
Show moreDay three of the Bayer 04 Brazil Tour. Today, Thursday 17 July, sees the two new signings Jarell Quansah and Christian Kofane join the squad in training. Plus the former Werkself players Paulo Sergio and Rodrigo Chagas visit the Bayer AG Football School. In the afternoon there is a big media event ahead of the friendly against the Flamengo U20s. As usual, Bayer04.de keeps you up-to-date with on-the-spot reports. The blog for day three of the Bayer 04 Brazil Tour (timings given in local time).
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