Bayer Leverkusen struggled to beat Carl Zeiss Jena, from the German fourth division, 0-1 in the match that closed the first round of the DFB Pokal. The match was postponed at that time due to the German Super Cup match with the German team Xabi Alonso It was played against Stuttgart on August 17 and was played at 6:00 pm, local time, to avoid coinciding with the opening ceremony of the Paris Paralympic Games.
The winner of last season’s double appeared for the match where the defense of the title began with many changes in the lineup, both due to a technical decision and accumulated penalties, in addition to the recently made official departure of the Colombian . Gustavo Puerta to Hull City on loan. The rival is one of the most historic teams of the former German Democratic Republic.
Adli, in the post, the only chance in the first half
The one in Xabi Alonsoincluding Spanish Alex Garcia in the starting eleven, they were not comfortable in the first half of the match played at the Ernst Abbe Sportfeld, where they lacked the clairvoyance to finish dangerous plays and where a very difficult shot from the Moroccan. Amine Adli who crashed at the right post on half time was the most notable opportunity.
The East Germans, well-equipped at the back to repel rival attacks, had some approach from set pieces, with dangerous crosses hanging in the area that the Czech goalkeeper watched. Matěj Kovář, now the starter, and a pass in the middle of the area on the edge of half-time which the striker almost finished from the goalmouth Cemal Sezer.
Grimaldo came in and helped the cause
Faced with uncertainty, the coach of Tolosarra was forced to put on the field Alejandro Grimaldo and an accurate ball centered by the Barcelona youth player eight minutes after the restart, after a combination with Aleix Garcia, born the sole purpose of the clash, the task of Jonas Hoffmann after a headbutt at will.
Despite the excess, Xabi Alonso He still couldn’t see it clearly from the technical area and, after two subsequent approaches by Jena that could have meant a tie, he put the starters in the fray. Florian Wirtz, Granit Xhaka and Jeremie Frimpong to try to secure the classification.
last fear
Despite going into three figures, Leverkusen could not control the match and their rivals tried their last attempts, including a very clear chance in stoppage time for the midfielder. Hamza Muqaj after a corner and an empty goal, to balance a score that, in the end, did not move.
Bayer Leverkusen, as well as the other qualified teams, will know their opponent in the next round on Sunday, when the pairs are drawn for the qualifying rounds to be played, in a single match like the whole competition, between October 29 and 30.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Rose Herman and I work as an author for Today Times Live. My expertise lies in writing about sports, a passion of mine that has been with me since childhood. As part of my job, I provide comprehensive coverage on everything from football to tennis to golf.
