DFB Cup progress: Leverkusen moves on after beating their opponents
German Cup Upsets Averted as Leverkusen, Magdeburg, and Union Berlin Advance
The first round of the DFB-Pokal 2023 saw some exciting matches, with several teams showcasing their prowess. Among the standout performances were Bayer Leverkusen, 1. FC Magdeburg, and 1. FC Union Berlin, who all secured victories in their respective encounters.
Bayer Leverkusen Triumph in Rain-Delayed Match
Bayer Leverkusen, under the guidance of their new coach Erik ten Hag, emerged victorious in their match against SG Sonnenhof Großaspach. The game was delayed by a thunderstorm with hail for around 40 minutes, but once play resumed, Leverkusen took control.
Patrik Schick opened the scoring for Leverkusen at 32 minutes, and the floodgates seemed to open. Arthur extended the lead at 74 minutes, followed by Christian Kofane at 84 minutes. Alejandro Grimaldo sealed the 4-0 victory with a penalty kick at 87 minutes.
1. FC Saarbrücken Suffer Defeat to Magdeburg
- FC Saarbrücken, who had an impressive cup run in the 2023/24 season reaching the semi-finals, were unable to replicate that success in the first round. They faced 1. FC Magdeburg and were defeated 1-3.
Tim Civeja scored a consolation goal for Saarbrücken at 67 minutes, but it was too little, too late. Magdeburg had taken an early lead at 43 minutes, and Rayan Ghrieb added two more at 45+2 and 59 minutes to secure the victory.
1. FC Union Berlin and FC Gütersloh Eliminated
- FC Union Berlin, a Bundesliga side, faced Regionalliga club FC Gütersloh. Union Berlin dominated the match, winning 0-5. The details of the goals scored are not provided, but the result sees Gütersloh exit the competition in the first round.
Notable Matches and Facts
- Bayer Leverkusen advanced from the first round, though the exact score and opponent for their game are not detailed in the available results.
- FC Saarbrücken, plagued by injuries to key players like Richard Neudecker and Patrick Sontheimer, were unable to replicate their previous cup success.
- FC Gütersloh lost their first-round match, but specific details about the opponent and scoreline are not provided in the retrieved data.
The tournament included other strong teams progressing, such as RB Leipzig and Eintracht Frankfurt, highlighting the competitive depth of German football cups. Some matches required extra time or penalties for resolution, reflecting the competitive nature of the tournament. Hamburg and Bochum notably avoided upsets in their fixtures, with Bochum winning in extra time after their opponent was reduced to nine men.
| Team | Result | Notable Notes | |------------------|------------------|----------------------------------------------| | Bayer Leverkusen | Won (details unspecified) | Advanced from first round | | 1. FC Saarbrücken| Lost 1-3 | Defeated by Magdeburg; missing key players | | FC Gütersloh | Lost (details unspecified) | Exited in first round | | 1. FC Union Berlin | Won 0-5 | Bundesliga side faced Regionalliga club | | 1. FC Magdeburg | Won 3-1 | Advance in competition despite missing key players |
European leagues witnessed an intriguing clash between Bayer Leverkusen and FC Gütersloh in the first round of the DFB-Pokal 2023. Despite being a Bundesliga side, Union Berlin, found themselves dominating the match against Gütersloh, securing a convincing 0-5 victory to progress further. Meanwhile, in the world of football, European leagues continue to reveal exciting matchups and unexpected outcomes.
