Leverkusen secured a 4-0 victory over Sonnenhof Großaspach in the German Cup, with Patrik Schick opening the scoring in the 32nd minute and the team showing resilience despite a lengthy delay caused by a hailstorm.

The match was marked by a significant turning point when Großaspach's captain Volkan Celik was sent off in the 66th minute, which helped Leverkusen dominate the game.

Leverkusen's win ensures their progression to the second round of the competition, with the draw scheduled for August 31 in Dortmund.

The game featured several notable moments, including multiple red cards—Celiktas and Mert Tasdelen received red cards—and a storm interruption that paused play for about 40 minutes.

Leverkusen's coach, Erik ten Hag, made his debut during this match, managing a squad undergoing significant changes after recent departures of key players like Wirtz and Tah.

Despite the victory, Leverkusen's manager acknowledged the team’s need for further improvement before their upcoming league opener against Hoffenheim on August 22.

Leverkusen's sporting director expressed optimism about the emerging young talent, even as the team lost several key players during the transfer window.

Other notable results in the German Cup included Union Berlin’s commanding 5-0 away win over Güttersloh and Magdeburg’s 3-1 victory over Saarbrücken, highlighting a competitive start to the tournament.

Bielefeld, last season’s finalist, advanced to the second round with a 1-0 win over Werder Bremen, thanks to a late goal from Isaiah Young after Bremen’s red card.

Upcoming fixtures include Großaspach hosting FSV Frankfurt and Leverkusen facing TSG Hoffenheim, as the tournament continues to unfold.

The first round of matches also saw Saarbrücken defeated by Magdeburg, with goals from Ghrieb and others, in a game characterized by early chances for Saarbrücken and effective counterattacks by Magdeburg.