DFB Cup - Bayer overwinters as favorites in the cup: Wirtz out injured
Bayer Leverkusen have reached the quarter-finals of the DFB Cup despite injury worries for Florian Wirtz and go into the rest of the competition as favorites. The Bundesliga leaders only had trouble in the meantime in their 3:1 (2:0) win over brave second division runners-up SC Paderborn in the round of 16 on Wednesday evening. Following the elimination of record winners FC Bayern Munich and defending champions RB Leipzig, Bayer are now considered to have the best chance of winning the title. After 21 competitive matches this season, the Werkself are still unbeaten with 19 wins.
The big downer for Leverkusen was the loss of international Wirtz through injury, who had to leave the pitch after being kicked on the heel (44th minute). Wirtz was able to make an appearance afterwards, but was led into the dressing room with his face contorted in pain and supported by two coaches. Bayer initially wrote that the 20-year-old had received a "painful blow to his ankle".
The goals for Bayer were scored by Victor Boniface (12') with his 14th competitive goal since his transfer in the summer, the Argentinian world champion Exequiel Palacios (29') and Patrik Schick twelve minutes after his substitution (87'). Paderborn, who had won 3-1 at SC Freiburg in the previous round and whose coach Lukas Kwasniok had led 1. FC Saarbrücken into the semi-finals as the first fourth-division team in 2020, had reduced the deficit through Sebastian Klaas (83'). However, it was not enough for the third quarter-final appearance in the club's history after 2018 and 2019.
As in the Europa League,Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso made a number of rotations and changed his starting eleven in five positions. Kwasniok had made a statement at the weekend by swapping seven players and also announced that regular keeper Jannik Huth would be replaced by Pelle Boevink for the time being until the winter break. Huth was not in the squad on Wednesday. "He is not ill or injured, but prevented from playing for personal reasons," the SCP announced: "He will be back in the squad as soon as possible!"
The Paderborn side got off to a bold start, certainly much bolder than runners-up Borussia Dortmund in their 1-1 draw at the BayArena on Sunday. Nevertheless, it was impossible to prevent Leverkusen from clearly dominating the game. And neither could the early 1:0. After a cross from Bayern loanee Josip Stanisic, Boniface converted with a spectacular direct shot. When Palacios scored from 18 meters after just under half an hour, the game was virtually decided.
Leverkusen created even more chances after the break, even without Wirtz. Boevink saved well from Alejandro Grimaldo (50') and Boniface (51'), Jonas Hofmann was offside when he scored (53'). Paderborn pressed again at the end and continued to believe they had a chance. The final goal brought a brief moment of excitement, which Schick quickly snuffed out.
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- Despite Bayer Leverkusen's 3:1 victory over SC Paderborn in the DFB Cup, the team faced injury concerns for Florian Wirtz.
- Born in Bavaria, FC Bayern Munich were eliminated from the DFB Cup, leaving Bayer Leverkusen and RB Leipzig as the remaining top-tier teams.
- Argentinian midfielder Exequiel Palacios scored one of Bayer Leverkusen's goals in their 3:1 win over SC Paderborn in the DFB Cup.
- Bayer Leverkusen, based in North Rhine-Westphalia, have the best chance of winning the DFB Cup following the elimination of FC Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig.
- Lukas Kwasniok, coach of SC Paderborn, led 1. FC Saarbrücken into the semi-finals of the DFB Cup as a fourth-division team in 2020.
- Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso made rotations and changes to his starting eleven in the DFB Cup match against SC Paderborn, replacing regular keeper Jannik Huth.
- Paderborn's goalkeeper, Pelle Boevink, made several impressive saves to prevent Bayer Leverkusen from increasing their lead in the DFB Cup quarter-final.
- After their victory over SC Paderborn, Bayer Leverkusen, also known as Bayer 04 Leverkusen, remain unbeaten with 19 wins in 21 competitive matches this season.
- Victor Boniface, a player on loan from Bayern Munich, scored Bayer Leverkusen's opening goal in the DFB Cup quarter-final against SC Paderborn with a spectacular direct shot.
Source: www.stern.de
