Bayer Leverkusen, without Piero Hincapié, struggled to advance in the German Cup

Aug 28, 2024, 5:28 PM ET

Bayer Leverkusensin Piero Hincapiesuffered to defeat Carl Zeiss Jena, from the German fourth division, 1-0, in the duel that closed the first round of the German Cuppostponed due to the German Super Cup match against Stuttgart, and played at 18:00 local time to avoid coinciding with the opening ceremony of the Paralympic Games in Paris.

Leverkusen

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The two-time German champions went into the match with numerous changes to their line-up, both due to technical decisions and accumulated suspensions, in addition to the recently made official departure of Colombian Gustavo Puerta to Hull City on loan, against one of the most historic teams in the former German Democratic Republic.

Xabi Alonso’s men, with Spaniard Aleix García in the starting eleven, were already uncomfortable during the first half of the match played at the Ernst Abbe Sportfeld, in which they lacked clarity to finish off dangerous plays and in which a very hard shot from the Moroccan Adli crashed into the right post after half an hour was the most notable opportunity.

The East Germans, well equipped at the back to repel any attacks from their opponents, had a few chances from set pieces, with dangerous balls into the area guarded by Czech goalkeeper Matěj Kovář, who started the game, and a pass into the heart of the area on the stroke of half-time which striker Cemal Sezer almost finished off on goal.

Faced with uncertainty, the Tolosarra coach was forced to bring Alejandro Grimaldo onto the field and a precise ball centred by the Barcelona youth player eight minutes into the restart, after a combination with García, led to the only goal of the match, scored by Hofmann after a comfortable header.

Despite the goal, the Guipuzcoan continued to have no clear chance from the technical area and, after two subsequent attempts by Jena that could have meant the equaliser, he brought on the starters Florian Wirtz, Granit Xhaka and Jeremie Frimpong to try to secure qualification.

Despite the three key players coming on, Leverkusen were unable to control the game and their opponents tried their last ditch efforts, including a clear chance in stoppage time for midfielder Muqaj after a corner kick into an empty net, to equalise a scoreline that, in the end, did not change.

Bayer Leverkusen, like the other qualified teams, will find out who they are going to face in the next round on Sunday, when the draw is made for the knockout stages, which will also be played in a single match like the entire competition, between October 29 and 30. EFE.