Bayer Leverkusen cruised into the second round of the DFB-Pokal on Saturday with a 4-0 victory over third-division side SV Wehen Wiesbaden in front of 12,000 spectators in Wiesbaden.
Patrik Schick opened the scoring in the 43rd minute before Lucas Vazquez extended the lead shortly after half-time in the 47th minute. Nathan Tella added a third in the 69th minute, and Christian Kofane wrapped up the win in the 79th minute.
The host side kept the Bundesliga favourites at bay for most of the first half, holding firm defensively and allowing very little before Schick broke the deadlock shortly before the break.
Second-half breakthrough for Bundesliga side
Vazquez scored early in the second period, breaking the resistance of the Hessian club. SV Wehen Wiesbaden goalkeeper Noah Brdar, who started the match in place of regular keeper Florian Stritzel, was left exposed as Leverkusen took control of the match.
Speaking after the contest, Brdar indicated that the team had pictured the evening turning out differently following their solid defensive efforts in the opening half.
Wiesbaden players Gino Fechner and Fabian Greilinger both received yellow cards during the match, which was officiated by referee Dingert from Lebecksmühle.
League focus for Wehen Wiesbaden
Despite the first-round exit from the domestic cup, the defeat is manageable for Wehen Wiesbaden as manager Daniel Scherning turns his attention back to their campaign in the 3. Liga.
Wiesbaden have struggled at the start of their league season, having suffered two losses in their opening two matches. Scherning's side will attempt to pick up their first points of the season when they host Rot-Weiss Essen next Saturday at 2 p.m.
Match lineups and substitutions
Wiesbaden lined up with Brdar in goal behind a defense featuring Nicklas Gillekens, Fechner and Justin Janitzek. Florian Nink, Nikolas Brandt, Tarik Gözüsirin, Greilinger, Lukas Schleimer and Bjarke May played in midfield, supporting striker Moritz Flotho.
Scherning made five substitutions in the second half, introducing Sinan Karweina for Brandt and Amin Chakhoun for Schleimer in the 66th minute, Christian Lewald for Gillekens in the 74th minute, Simon Stehle for Nink in the 75th minute, and Ayman Ati Allah for Greilinger in the 84th minute.
Leverkusen started with goalkeeper Janis Blaswich behind a defensive line of Vazquez, Loic Bade, Edmond Tapsoba and Miguel. Aleix Garcia, Fernandez, Maza, Malik Tillman and Moreira lined up in midfield, with Schick starting as the main striker.
The visiting side made several changes in the second half, bringing on Jarell Quansah for Vazquez, Tella for Fernandez, and Kofane for Schick all in the 64th minute. Diego Medina replaced Bade in the 74th minute, while Exequiel Palacios replaced Maza in the 78th minute.
