Defending champions Bayer Leverkusen will welcome second-division side Elversberg in the second round of the DFB-Pokal.
In the second round of the DFB-Pokal, Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen will face 2. Bundesliga side Elversberg at the BayArena on Tuesday. Leverkusen will look to assert their dominance at home, while Elversberg aims to continue their impressive cup run after a convincing win in the previous round.
Leverkusen head into this tie as the reigning champions of the DFB-Pokal, having clinched the trophy last season with a narrow 1-0 victory over Kaiserslautern in the final. That triumph saw them conclude their domestic campaign without a single defeat, showcasing their consistency and resilience under Xabi Alonso’s management.
This season, Alonso’s men have had a decent start to their DFB-Pokal defence, narrowly edging Carl Zeiss Jena 1-0 in August, with Jonas Hofmann’s 52nd-minute goal sealing their place in the current round.
However, Leverkusen’s recent Bundesliga form has shown some defensive vulnerabilities, highlighted by a frustrating 2-2 draw against Werder Bremen, in which they conceded a last-minute equaliser. Despite their offensive prowess, Leverkusen have managed only three clean sheets in their last 13 outings, a stat that will be in the back of Alonso’s mind going into this knockout fixture.
Overall, Leverkusen have drawn four of their last six games, winning two, with nine goals scored and seven conceded during that span. At home, Die Schwarzroten have proven their mettle, winning three of their last four matches at the BayArena, scoring nine and letting in six. Furthermore, their recent DFB-Pokal record at home has been impeccable, securing three straight victories.
On the other hand, Elversberg head into this clash in high spirits. Currently seventh in the 2. Bundesliga, Horst Steffen’s team is just three points away from the automatic promotion places. Their impressive league form was evident in a 4-2 comeback victory over Hamburger SV on Saturday, a game in which they overcame an early setback to claim three points. This victory extended their unbeaten run to four games, with three wins and a draw, while scoring 10 goals and conceding just three during this stretch.
Elversberg’s recent away record has been particularly noteworthy, remaining unbeaten in their last four matches on the road. Their only previous DFB-Pokal fixture this season saw them crush Borussia Hildesheim 7-0, highlighting their attacking capability. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how both sides could line up and what tactics they might employ on the day.
Team News & Tactics
Bayer Leverkusen
Bayer Leverkusen will be without Amine Adli, who suffered a broken leg in their Champions League clash against Brest on October 23. His absence deals a blow to their attacking options, but head coach Xabi Alonso is likely to reshuffle his lineup accordingly. The home side will also be missing Jeremie Frimpong, who is serving a suspension after accumulating multiple yellow cards.
In Adli’s absence, Jonas Hofmann and Francis Onyeka are expected to play more advanced roles in the attacking setup, offering support to the central striker Patrik Schick. Alonso could field a back three composed of Arthur, Jonathan Tah, and Edmond Tapsoba, with a double-pivot midfield combination of Aleix Garcia and Robert Andrich.
Leverkusen could line up in a 3-4-2-1 formation, with Matej Kovar between the posts. Arthur, Jonathan Tah, and Edmond Tapsoba should occupy the back three positions, providing a solid defensive base. The wing-back roles are likely to be taken by Nathan Tella on the right and Jeanuel Belocian on the left, offering both width and defensive cover.
In central midfield, Aleix Garcia and Robert Andrich will be tasked with controlling the tempo and providing the link between defence and attack. In the attacking third, Jonas Hofmann and Francis Onyeka will feature as dual playmakers, positioned behind lone forward Patrik Schick. This arrangement provides the flexibility for Hofmann and Onyeka to drop deeper and join the midfield when needed or press higher up the pitch to create goal-scoring opportunities for Schick
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Kovar; Arthur, Tah, Tapsoba; Tella, Garcia, Andrich, Belocian; Hofmann, Onyeka; Schick
Elversberg SV
Elversberg SV will head into their DFB-Pokal clash with several injury concerns. They will be without key central defenders Frederik Jakel and Florian Le Joncour, who are sidelined until early November, putting more pressure on their defensive options.
Midfielders Patryk Dragon and Semih Sahin are also expected to be unavailable for selection due to injuries, reducing manager Horst Steffen’s midfield depth. Additionally, forward Fisnik Asllani was forced off during their match against Hamburger SV and is not expected to feature in the lineup.
In light of these absences, Elversberg may opt for a midfield trio featuring Robin Fellhauer, Carlo Sickinger, and Muhammed Damar, offering a balance of defensive stability and forward momentum. With Arne Sicker potentially playing an advanced attacking role, the visitors hope to provide support to their two forwards.
The visitors could line up in a 4-3-1-2 formation, with Nicolas Kristof guarding the goal. The defensive line is likely to include Elias Baum on the right, Lukas Pinckert and Maximilian Rohr as the central defenders, and Maurice Neubauer at left-back. The midfield trio would consist of Robin Fellhauer, Carlo Sickinger, and Muhammed Damar, who will be tasked with controlling the centre of the pitch and linking up play.
In the attacking setup, Arne Sicker could occupy the advanced playmaker role just behind the front two of Luca Schnellbacher and Lukas Petkov, offering flexibility for Sicker to join the attack or drop deeper into midfield to influence the game’s build-up. This formation allows Elversberg to utilise their midfield strength while still maintaining a solid defensive base.
Probable Lineup (4-3-1-2): Kristof; Baum, Pinckert, Rohr, Neubauer; Fellhauer, Sickinger, Damar; Sicker; Schnellbacher, Petkov
Key Stats
- Bayer Leverkusen are the reigning DFB-Pokal champions and have won the tournament twice in their history, with their most recent victory coming last season.
- Bayer Leverkusen are the reigning DFB-Pokal champions and have won the tournament twice in their history, with their most recent victory coming last season. They defeated Kaiserslautern in the final to complete their unbeaten run in the tournament.
- This season, Leverkusen have struggled to maintain clean sheets, having managed just three in their 13 matches across all competitions. In contrast, they were more defensively solid in their last DFB-Pokal campaign.
- The visitors are unbeaten in their last four away fixtures in all competitions, winning three and drawing one. Their recent form on the road has seen them score 10 goals while conceding just three, showcasing their attacking potential.
Player to Watch
Patrick Schick
Bayer Leverkusen’s Patrick Schick will be the key player to watch in this DFB-Pokal encounter. The Czech international striker has been instrumental for Leverkusen, known for his clinical finishing and ability to lead the line effectively. Schick has consistently delivered in big matches and has a knack for being in the right place at the right time, making him a constant threat inside the box.
Although he is returning to full fitness, Schick remains a crucial part of Xabi Alonso’s attacking setup. With Leverkusen looking to secure another successful cup run and maintain momentum in all competitions, Schick’s presence at the front could prove pivotal. His movement, aerial ability, and sharp instinct for goal are likely to keep Elversberg’s defenders on their toes throughout the match. Expect him to play a significant role in Leverkusen’s offensive efforts, linking up with creative forces like Jonas Hofmann and Francis Onyeka to drive the team forward.
Prediction
Bayer Leverkusen 3-1 Elversberg SV
Bayer Leverkusen will undoubtedly enter the game as heavy favourites against Elversberg, given their superior squad depth, home advantage, and DFB-Pokal pedigree. However, Xabi Alonso will likely demand improvements in their defensive play to avoid any potential upsets, especially against an in-form Elversberg side.
For the visitors’, manager Horst Steffen will likely urge his side to take advantage of Leverkusen’s defensive lapses, as they aim to produce another giant-killing performance. However, overcoming a team with Leverkusen’s firepower and experience will be a daunting challenge.
Considering both sides’ recent form and overall quality, Bayer Leverkusen’s attacking edge should prevail in this encounter, although Elversberg could pose some questions if they find a way to capitalise on any defensive mishaps from their hosts. Expect a competitive match, but with Leverkusen eventually easing through to the next round.
