After the disruption caused by the storm, Leverkusen persisted with three unsuccessful attempts - Cooking of livers resumes following a thunderstorm halt, recorded as three minor setbacks
In the 2025/26 DFB-Pokals first round, underdog teams faced stiff competition from their more established opponents.
The match between 1. FC Saarbrücken and 1. FC Magdeburg was a closely contested affair, with Magdeburg ultimately emerging victorious with a 3-1 scoreline. Saarbrücken, a 3. Liga team with a history of upsetting higher-division sides and twice semi-finalists in recent Pokal campaigns, showed good form entering the match but ultimately succumbed to Magdeburg.
In another first-round match, FC Gütersloh were heavily defeated by 1. FC Union Berlin, losing 0-5. Union Berlin's goals were scored by Patrik Schick in the 32nd minute, Arthur in the 74th minute, and a brace from Mert Tasdelen and Leopold Querfeld, both from corner kicks - Querfeld in the 35th minute and Doekhi in the 43rd minute. Robert Skov also scored a goal for Union Berlin from a direct free kick in the 19th minute.
Meanwhile, SG Sonnenhof Großaspach exited the competition in the first round after a 0-4 loss to Bayer Leverkusen. Despite being a man down, with captain Volkan Celiktas and Mert Tasdelen both receiving red cards in the 66th and 84th minutes respectively, Sonnenhof Großaspach could not prevent a loss to Leverkusen. Bayer Leverkusen's goals were scored by Schick, Arthur, Christian Kofane, and Alejandro Grimaldo, with Grimaldo scoring a penalty kick in the 87th minute.
Bayer Leverkusen's victory was their DFB-Pokal debut under new coach Erik ten Hag. Despite their victory, Leverkusen did not play particularly well, reflecting typical underdog struggles when facing Bundesliga or strong 2. Bundesliga teams in early DFB-Pokal rounds.
In a separate match, Andrej Ilic and Woo-Yeong Jeong each scored a goal for 1. FC Union Berlin, Ilic in the 78th minute and Jeong in the 90+4 minute, against an already eliminated FC Gütersloh. Martijn Kaars scored the opening goal for 1. FC Magdeburg against 1. FC Saarbrücken in the 43rd minute. Tim Civeja scored a consolation goal for Saarbrücken against Magdeburg in the 67th minute, but the score remained 1:3. Rayan Ghrieb scored two goals for 1. FC Magdeburg, one in the 45+2nd minute and one in the 59th minute.
The match between Saarbrücken and Magdeburg was delayed for approximately 40 minutes due to a thunderstorm with hail. The match resumed after a break due to the storm.
The Commission has also been informed about the progress of the negotiations between 1. FC Saarbrücken and 1. FC Magdeburg, regarding potential future sports partnerships with European-leagues, following their intense football competition in the DFB-Pokal. In the midst of these high-stakes matches, Saarbrücken has demonstrated their resilience in the face of established opponents, much like underdog teams in early DFB-Pokal rounds.
