The Bayer 04 coaches made seven changes from the side that faced TSG Hoffenheim in Saturday's 3-0 defeat in the Bundesliga: reserve keeper Ramazan Özcan, Roberto Hilbert, Aleksandar Dragovic, Wendell, Robbie Kruse, Stefan Kießling and Chicharito all started. Lars Bender, Ömer Toprak and Hakan Calhanoglu were all ruled out due to injury. Youngsters Julian Brandt and Benjamin Henrichs plus goalkeeper Bernd Leno were rested after a busy run of fixtures. Charles Aránguiz and Admir Mehmedi started on the bench.
Volland's first goal
They looked on as the Werkself started brightly in the search for the opening goal. Bayer 04 camped in the half of the newly promoted third division team but Kevin Volland (5') and Stefan Kießling (10') were unable to beat the Lotte keeper Benedikt Fernandez. As the game went on the hosts gradually escaped the grip of the visitors and grew in confidence. However, the Werkself took the lead on 25 minutes: A long clearance from Özcan found Kießling and he picked out Volland in the box. The striker hit a right-foot shot into the net at near post to put the Werkself 1-0 up. That was the first goal for Bayer 04 from the former Hoffenheim player.
The Werkself were lucky a few minutes later just before the half-hour mark: Lotte's Kevin Pires-Rodrigues sent in a free-kick for Matthias Rahn to head into the roof of the net – however, referee Wolfgang Stark and his fellow officials ruled the strike offside. Lotte fought back and gave the Werkself less and less space. The two teams cancelled each other out up to the half-time break.
Setback after restart
It took less than two minutes from the restart for the Sportfreunde, under coach Ismael Atalan, to drew level at 1-1. The hosts benefited when a cross from Alexander Langlitz was deflected by Hilbert into the far corner of the net leaving Özcan helpless. The Werkself look ponderous and were unable to match the aggression of the hosts – instead Lotte created chances. A second booking for substitute Tim Wendel weakened the Sportfreunde but the ten men stood firm. The work rate of the home side frustrated the Werkself and the underdogs were able to hold on to the 1-1 scoreline and take Bayer 04 to extra time.
Bayer 04 were first out of the blocks in the first period of extra time. Kevin Kampl found Julian Baumgartlinger and he picked out Volland who is in the right place to restore the lead for the Werkself on 95 minutes. Bayer 04 sought to press home the advantage but Volland Mr chance to wrap the game up after great work from Wendell and Kampl.
Lotte level again
Lotte hit straight back with a great solo run by Bernd Rosinger and he provided an assist for Kevin Freiburg to level from ten yards out on 105 minutes. Lotte defended well right to the end and the Werkself tired visibly. Kampl (107') and Havertz (109') missed the best chances for Bayer 04. Not much else happened up to the final whistle.
And that took the tie to a penalty shoot-out. After the first penalty takers on both sides failed to convert the following five players found the back of the net. After Fernandez saved Baumgartlinger's penalty, the substitute Luca Tankovic stepped up and he left Özcan with no chance. The Cup upset was complete as Bayer 04 exit the competition in the second round.
There is no time to let heads drop: The Werkself return to league action on Saturday (15.30 CET) with an away match at VfL Wolfsburg and the following Wednesday (20.45 CET) sees the return match away to Tottenham Hotspur in the Champions League.
Match stats
Sportfreunde Lotte: Fernandez - Langlitz, Rahn, Nauber, Neidhart - Pires-Rodrigues (Heyer 84’), Dej, Gorschlüter (Wendel 55’) - Rosinger (Tankulic 111’), Freiberger, Steinhart.
Bayer 04: Öczan - Hilbert, Tah, Dragovic, Wendell - Baumgartlinger, Kampl - Kruse (Mehmedi 74’), Volland - Kießling (Havertz 101’), Chicharito (Aránguiz 90’).
Goals: 0-1 Volland (25’), 11 Hilbert (47’ ET), 1-2 Volland (95’), 2-2 Freiberger (105’).
Penalty shoot-out: Aránguiz misses, Nauber misses, 2-3 Havertz, Freiberger misses, Volland misses, 3-3 Steinhart, 3-4 Hilbert, 4-4 Dej, 4-5 Wendell, 5-5 Langlitz, Baumgartlinger misses, 6-5 Tankovic.
Booked: Langlitz, Rosinger - Dragovic, Chicharito, Volland, Aránguiz, Wendell
Sent off: Wendel (79’)
Referee: Wolfgang Stark (Ergolding)
Attendance: 9,700
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