Overview

• Erik ten Hag’s first competitive match as Bayer Leverkusen head coach ended in a 4-0 win over fourth-tier Sonnenhof Großaspach in the DFB-Pokal first round.
• Goals from Patrik Schick, Brazilian wing back Arthur, debutant Christian Kofane and Álex Grimaldo demonstrated early cohesion in a restructured squad.
• Sonnenhof Großaspach captain Volkan Celikwas was sent off for two quick bookings in the 66th minute and defender Mert Tasdelen received a late red card, swinging control firmly to Leverkusen.
• A summer hailstorm forced a 40-minute first-half stoppage but did not derail Leverkusen’s dominance once play resumed.
• Union Berlin followed with a 5-0 victory over fourth-tier Gütersloh and Magdeburg beat Saarbrücken 3-1 in other German Cup first-round matches.