Thunder, Mud, and Schick’s Head: Bayer 04 Wades into Round Two

Let’s be honest: when you draw a team like SG Sonnenhof Großaspach in the first round of the DFB-Pokal, you’re not exactly expecting Shakespeare. But what unfolded in the WIRmachenDRUCK Arena on a soaking Friday night was somewhere between Slapstick-Comedy, Survival Training, and the good old Pokal-Schule – where the football might be ugly, but the lessons stick. In the end, Bayer 04 passed the test. With wet socks, a couple of late goals, and that lovely smell of “okay, we didn’t embarrass ourselves.”

The evening began like any good Pokal tie in rural Baden-Württemberg: a scrappy underdog full of belief, a star-studded Bundesliga side trying not to fall asleep, and a stadium name that sounds more like a printer error than a football arena. Ten Hag’s new-look Werkself, sprinkled with fresh summer signings and a pinch of nervous energy, started like a team still looking for the on-switch.

Then came minute 18. Thunder. Lightning. Rain like the BayArena’s sprinklers had gone rogue. And while Großaspach’s grounds crew turned into besen-wielding Superhelden (heroes), both teams disappeared into the cabins, presumably to Google “Can footballs float?”

After a nearly 40-minute weather break and some quality drainage work with what looked like the janitor’s entire equipment closet, the game resumed – and with it, Bayer’s sense of purpose. Patrik Schick, calm as a Czech glacier, nodded in a perfect cross to make it 1–0. Relief. Not style, not dominance, but relief. The same Schick then casually cleared a Großaspach shot off the line a few minutes later, just to remind everyone that if he ever gets bored up front, he could always moonlight as a centre-back.

But despite the lead, this wasn’t a Werkself flexing its muscles. It was more a case of “slowly finding the toolbox.” Ten Hag’s debut in the dugout had moments of promise (looking at you, Maza and Poku), but also showed that even Bundesliga-Vizemeister struggle to control a soaked Pokal pitch against Regionalliga defenders on a mission.

Things turned when the home side decided to self-destruct. First, a second yellow for captain Celiktas (you could hear ten Hag whisper “danke schön” from the bench), then a flying tackle from Tasdelen that deserved both a red card and perhaps a personal apology to Axel Tape. And with two men up, Bayer finally did what Bayer does: punish, finish, move on.

Arthur slotted in the second after a lovely give-and-go with debutant Poku, Kofane made it three with the kind of cool finish that screams “I want more minutes, Coach,” and Grimaldo celebrated his 100th match by thumping home a penalty to seal the 4–0.

It looked routine on paper. But paper doesn’t show puddles, nor how often we misjudged Großaspach’s pressing traps. There’s still rust in this team, still a lot of moving parts – and let’s be fair, it’s August, we’ve all just come back from summer mode. But Pokal is about surviving. And survive we did, with a grin, a few sighs, and zero injuries (praise be).

So, dear Leverkusen faithful, let’s pack away the rain ponchos and prepare for real Bundesliga business next week against Hoffenheim. The road to Berlin has started – a bit splashy, a bit scrappy, but without a banana skin in sight. And when the heavens open again, we’ll know: Schick’s head is waterproof.

From Samba to Switch of Sides – Bayer 04 Kicks Off the New Season in Cup Mood

The summer break is over, the players’ and fans’ holidays are now just a distant memory, and in Leverkusen quite a lot has happened since. The preseason felt like a well-planned but not entirely bump-free road trip – with new faces, fresh ideas, and one clear goal: to build on past successes without slipping into routine. Today marks the first competitive game – DFB-Pokal away at Großaspach – and, as always, there’s that mix of anticipation, nervousness, and the nagging question: *“What if it goes wrong?”* But we are Bayer 04, and we’re not travelling to Aspach to admire the scenery. We’re going there to kick off the new season with a clear statement.

Coach Erik ten Hag made it clear early on that he’s not a fan of fairy-tale thinking. Asked whether he could lead Leverkusen straight to the top as if by magic, he replied dryly: *“Nobody is like Harry Potter.”* And while that honesty may not be as glamorous as a last-minute final goal, it brings a healthy dose of realism to a squad that has grown accustomed to high standards. The Dutchman knows that top-level football doesn’t happen at the snap of a finger – it takes work, patience, and the courage to try new things.

Preseason was far from dull. Alongside training sessions at home, one highlight stood out, and it had more to do with image than tactics: the Bayer 04 Brazil Tour. There, the team found not only Brazilian sunshine but also the country’s unique football passion – which is practically a currency of its own. Between media events, appearances by the club’s management and the coach, and test matches against youth sides like Flamengo’s U20, the trip was about more than just scoring goals. It was about presenting the club internationally, attracting new fans, and bringing home a little samba spirit.

Of course, there were the usual little hiccups that come with any preseason. Injuries and illnesses shuffled the deck: Alejandro Grimaldo had to take a break due to illness midweek, and Victor Boniface, one of the key hopes in attack, still isn’t at full fitness. That opens the door for others. New signing Ernest Poku could find himself in the starting XI sooner than expected. Fresh through the door, straight into the first competitive match – it’s like moving into a new flat and being asked to do the dishes on your very first night: a tough test, but a great chance to make an impression.

There’s also movement in the transfer market. Amine Adli may well make his final appearance in a Bayer shirt tonight before a potential move to Bournemouth in England. It’s the kind of farewell that’s bittersweet: a loss on the pitch, but probably a gain in the bank account. These stories are part of football, and sometimes a departure creates opportunities for others to step up.

Tonight’s opponents, SG Sonnenhof Großaspach, are no longer complete unknowns. The self-styled “village club” dominated the Oberliga Baden-Württemberg last season, winning an impressive 31 of 34 matches, taking the WFV Cup, and earning promotion to the Regionalliga. That doesn’t sound like pushovers – more like a side with real ambition, especially at home. Großaspach have prepared meticulously for this evening: shuttle buses from nearby Backnang, a pre-match party with DJ Kaba, and the biggest stadium choreography in the club’s history. This is not just football – it’s a village festival with a ball.

Everyone knows the roles: Bayer 04 arrive as overwhelming favourites, Großaspach as brave underdogs. But cup games have their own laws – and that’s the charm. For the home team, this is the match of the year; for Leverkusen, it’s the first step in a season that aims high again. For one side, it’s a stage to prove themselves; for the other, it’s a must-win occasion that can be anything – from a comfortable warm-up to a painful reminder that nothing in football is guaranteed.

The mood in the Leverkusen camp seems positive despite the little uncertainties. Ten Hag has tried out plenty in recent weeks, tested formations, and given the players clear ideas to work with. Even if not everything is running perfectly, the coach’s signature is already visible: more structure in build-up play, consistent pressing, and the aim to actually *do* something with the ball, not just keep it. Fans can expect a mix of disciplined organisation and bold attacking play – if the execution clicks tonight.

The setting in Aspach is ready, the players are focused, and the stage could hardly be better. A night cup tie under the floodlights, packed stands – this is football romance at its finest. It’s also the moment where a new cycle begins: the first competitive match under a new coach, with fresh ideas and a squad not yet set in stone. Every sprint, every tackle, every successful combination tonight will not only decide progression in the cup but also send a signal for the weeks ahead.

There are plenty of reasons for optimism. The squad has quality, the mix of experienced players and young talent looks right, and even though not all new arrivals are fully integrated yet, that leaves room for surprises. A successful cup night can boost confidence, lift the mood, and pave the way for a strong Bundesliga start.

Of course, Großaspach will do everything to derail that plan. With the momentum of an outstanding season behind them, home-field advantage, and the chance to test themselves against a Champions League side, they’ll put in a fighting performance. But it’s in exactly these games that the difference between an ambitious fourth-tier side and an established Bundesliga team shows. Leverkusen must bring their quality to the pitch from the very first minute – not arrogantly, but decisively.

For the fans, tonight is both a must-attend and a celebration. Those making the trip to Aspach won’t just watch the game – they’ll soak up the atmosphere, enjoy the occasion, and perhaps remember that these away days often provide the stories you still tell years later. Whether it ends in a comfortable 4–0 or a nail-biting 2–1 will matter less than the team and fans taking that first step into what everyone hopes will be a successful season together.

No matter the scoreline, the season already has a certain momentum. With a coach who has a clear vision, a flexible squad, and a club leadership that’s looking outward on the international stage, the signs point to progress. Tonight is the first test – and at the same time the opening chapter of many stories yet to be written. Perhaps not with a magic wand, but with hard work, team spirit, and the willingness to get your hands dirty when necessary.

So here we are, rolling into Großaspach tonight. Some call it a routine task. Others call it a cup adventure. For us, it’s both – and maybe a bit more. Because in every beginning lies the chance to start something great. Tonight, it begins.