Making his competitive debut in charge, head coach Erik ten Hag made one change to the team that started last weekend’s friendly against Chelsea as Arthur came in for Grimaldo, who had been ill during the week. There are also first competitive appearances in Werkself colours for goalkeeper Mark Flekken, defender Jarell Quansah and forward Ibrahim Maza.
Supported by 2,500 travelling fans inside the WIRmachenDRUCK Arena, Leverkusen took command early on, with the Regionalliga side sitting back and maintaining their shape. However, they were quick to try and pounce when the moment presented itself. Maza looked to tee up Schick, but the Czech striker was thwarted on the edge of the box moments before referee Michael Bacher took the players off the pitch as the storm rolled into the Baden-Württemberg village. Thanks to the ground staff and other club employees, the game resumed some 40 minutes later.
The break didn’t disrupt the Werkself’s mounting momentum as Amine Adli narrowly missed an Aleix Garcia cross and Schick headed an effort over. The hosts soon had their first chance of note when Fabian Eisele found the side netting. The 2024 DFB Pokal winners finally found the breakthrough after 32 minutes when Schick ran onto an Adli cross and headed in. Moments later, the striker was forced to use his head again, this time in his own box as he cleared a goal-bound shot from under his own crossbar. Further chances for a second in the first half came and went for Quansah and Adli as it remained 1-0.
Grimaldo came on for Adli at half-time to make his 100th competitive Werkself appearance. The game was more open after the restart and Flekken was forced into a save from close range and Tella had a shot blocked on the counter. After Sonnenhof captain Volkan Celiktas was sent off for a second yellow card after a challenge on Maza, Leverkusen took full advantage. Another debutant in Ernest Poku had just come on for Tella when he combined on the left with Grimaldo and set up Arthur in the middle to make it 2-0.
Mert Tasdelen’s rash challenge on Axel Tape near the corner flag saw Großaspach reduced to nine men, after which Garcia slipped in Kofane to coolly slot away his maiden Werkself goal on his debut off the bench. The young striker was again involved in added time when fouled in the box, with Grimaldo dispatching the ensuing penalty to round out the 4-0 win and progress to the second round.
Bayer 04 now prepare to kick off their Bundesliga campaign with a home game at the BayArena against Hoffenheim on Saturday, 23 August (3.30pm CEST). The following Saturday they go to Werder Bremen.
Match stats:
Leverkusen: Flekken - Tapsoba, Quansah, Hincapie (Tape 64') - Tella (Poku 64'), Andrich, Garcia, Arthur - Maza (Mensah 85'), Adli (Grimaldo 46') - Schick (Kofane 77')
Großaspach: Reule - Mohr, Nuraj, Aidonis, Landwehr (Le. Maier 76') - Mistl (Kunde 69'), Celiktas - Tasdelen, Maier (Pollex 88') - Eisele (Stoppel 69'), Kleinschrodt (Ender 88')
Goals: 0-1 Schick (32'), 0-2 Arthur (74'), 0-3 Kofane (84'), 0-4 Grimaldo (87')
Red cards: Celiktas (65'), Tasdelen (81')
Yellow cards: Kleinschrodt - Adli, Tapsoba
Referee: Michael Bacher
Attendance: 8,850 (sold out) at the WIRmachenDRUCK Arena
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