DFB Cup, 1st round
The fourth division team annoys Bayer – Ostklubs without any problems
Updated on 17.08.2025 – 11:37 a.m.Reading time: 3 min.
The 1. FC Saarbrücken has often been a cup fright in recent years – this time not. Union Berlin also lived up to his role as favorite.
The first games in the 2025/26 DFB Cup season are played-and there are no surprises yet. At the fourth division club FC Gütersloh, Bundesliga club 1. FC Union Berlin prevailed and effortlessly won 5-0.
The higher class club was also able to prevail in the parallel game, second division team 1. FC Magdeburg beat third division team 1. FC Saarbrücken 3-1.
The game between SG Sonnenhof Großaspach and Bayer Leverkusen only ended a good 45 minutes after the other duels. The reason: a long weather -related break, it was hailing in the stadium of the fourth division. Bayer struggled for a long time, but won 4: 0 in the end.
It can also be done without Xabi Alonso-and yet a lot of work is still waiting: In the first competitive game since the start of the starting coach, Bayer Leverkusen has confidently solved the task in the first round of the DFB Cup despite almost 45 minutes of thunder interruption. The completely turned-up Doublegewinner from 2024 prevailed 4-0 (1-0) at the regional league Sonnenhof Großaspach after initial problems-and gave the new coach Erik Ten HAG a successful debut on Bayer Bank.
After referee Michael Bacher had sent both teams into the cabins after a quarter of an hour due to thunderstorms and heavy rain, Patrik Schick took the lead for the Leverkusener, Arthur increased with the end of the final phase (74th), and Christian Kofane (84th) and Alejandro Grimaldo (87th, foul elf) met. As in the past two years, the Werkself mastered the first cup round. The outsider ended the game with eight field players after captain Volkan Celiktas Yelb-Rot (67th) and Mert Tasdelen Red (82nd).
Even if the result does not suggest, Großaspach presented itself and had some chances, especially at 0: 0, to take the lead.
Second division 1. FC Magdeburg has moved into the second round of the DFB Cup with merciless effectiveness. In the third division club 1. FC Saarbrücken, the team of coach Markus Fiedler achieved a 3-1 (2-0).
Martijn Kaars (43.) and Rayan Ghrieb (45.+2), who was hired last week, brought the Elbstädter to the winning road before the break. Ghrieb’s second goal (59th) in the sold -out Ludwigsparkstadion made the early decision. Tim Civeja (67th) only used Jean Hugonet’s defensive error to 1: 3.
Saarbrücken, the big cup fright in the past few years, brave bravely and often asked the second division team offensive. Florian Pick (33rd) had the best chance to go, but only hit the outside network. In the second round, Calogero Rizzuto’s experiment (76th) was blocked from a good position, the third division team increased the pressure, but did not take advantage of his chances. Shortly before the end, a 2: 3 would have been deserved. But the Saarlanders did not hit the goal, which is why Magdeburg didn’t have to tremble big.