Xabi Alonso’s experiment of doing without numerous regular players in the starting eleven almost failed. It was only thanks to late goals that Bundesliga table leaders Bayer Leverkusen prevailed 5-2 (1-0) against bravely fighting outsiders SV Sandhausen and reached the round of 16 in the DFB Cup on Wednesday evening.
On the way to their 13th competitive win in the 14th game, the football professionals from Leverkusen, who performed so furiously in the league, had a lot of trouble. Exequiel Palacios took the lead with a penalty kick (21st minute). But after the break, Alexander Ehlich equalized (50th). In a hectic sequence, Jonathan Tah put the visitors back in front before Yassin Ben Balla equalized again. Adam Hlozek (85th) and Amine Adli (88th/90th 2) made the decision.
The guests, who had changed a total of eight positions compared to the 2-1 win in the league against SC Freiburg, had problems finding their way into the game. Sandhausen started determinedly. However, Abu-Bekir El-Zein shot at opponent Tah (3rd) and Jonas Weik put a shot next to the goal (5th).
Keller seemed happy with his team’s early stages. “It’s a huge experience for my young team to play against a team like that. We’re at home here, a floodlit game, there’s nothing better for a footballer,” said the coach in a Sky interview before the game.
The joy about the highlight game quickly turned into anger at the referee. After a duel between Alexander Fuchs and Leverkusen’s Adli, Richard Hempel awarded a penalty, which Palacios converted. After taking the lead, Bayer had significantly more possession of the ball, but rarely got into good finishing positions.
After the break, the favorite was shocked. As with Palacios’ goal to take the lead, the left goal post also helped with Sandhausen’s equalizer through Ehlich – the starting signal for a spectacular phase. Leverkusen only needed four minutes to respond quickly. After a dead ball, Tah was there.
But Sandhausen’s resistance was not yet broken. Ben Balla gave the home team, who were lagging behind their own expectations in the 3rd league, a dream. Alonso had seen enough and after just over an hour he brought four key players out of the league in one fell swoop – including national player Florian Wirtz.
But that didn’t provide any security for the time being. Sandhausen was close to completely turning the game around. It was only Hlozek and Adli’s double pack that gave Leverkusen a collective sigh of relief.
Schedule DFB Cup squad SV Sandhausen squad Bayer Leverkusen
