DFB-Pokal: Bayer Leverkusen and Augsburg progress with strong second-half performances

Bayer Leverkusen and Augsburg followed Eintracht Frankfurt and VfB Stuttgart to the next round of the DFB-Pokal with wins over Wehen Wiesbaden and Energie Cottbus, respectively.

Carles Martinez’s side struggled to break the deadlock against their 3. Liga outfit before Patrick Schick’s strike on the stroke of half-time. Having seen his earlier goal cancelled for a correct offside call, the Czech international scored after Ibrahim Maza’s deflected effort.

Leverkusen doubled their advantage right after the restart as Lucas Vazquez beat Noah Brdar from a difficult angle after Wiesbaden’s goalkeeper stopped Schick’s header. Substitute Nathan Tella, who could still leave the club this summer, added the third twenty minutes before time.

The magnificent Maza provided the assist with a cheeky backheel. Ten minutes later, Afonso Moreira registered his first direct goal contribution with an unselfish play to set up Christian Kofane, who scored his maiden Leverkusen goal at this stage of the cup last year.

Facundo Medina made his competitive debut for Die Werkself, while Jarell Quansah and Exquiel Palacios also came off the bench in the second-half. The ex-captain Robert Andrich was out of the squad. Victor Boniface was an unused substitute despite his strong pre-season performances.

Meanwhile, Augsburg are also through to the next round after their 2-0 victory in Cottbus. Anton Kade and Kristijan Jakic scored the goals for Manuel Baum’s side. Kade opened the scoring early in the second-half before the Croat midfielder sealed the victory in injury-time.

The new number 10 Mert Kömür was a late substitute as Augsburg continue to reject offers from Hull City, who are on their way to a famous victory over Manchester United in their long-awaited return to Premier League football.