News (engl.)

Two more clubs have secured their place in the DFB-Pokal quarter-finals, alongside Hertha BSC and FC St. Pauli. Bayer 04 Leverkusen won 1-0 away to Borussia Dortmund, while RB Leipzig came from behind to beat second-division side 1. FC Magdeburg 3-1.

Bayer Leverkusen hold on for narrow win

In front of a capacity crowd of 81,365 at the Signal Iduna Park, the early momentum slightly favoured Dortmund, but the visitors from Leverkusen gradually found their rhythm and saw more of the ball. A slick team move saw Leverkusen string together a number of passes before Alejandro Grimaldo played in Ibrahim Maza, who ultimately curled the ball into the far corner to make it 1-0 (34’).

Dortmund’s best chance of the half came shortly before the break. Karim Adeyemi got a shot away from 12 yards, but Robert Andrich blocked his effort just in front of the bottom-right corner (40’). Adeyemi was again involved from the resulting corner, but could only find the side netting.

The hosts came out with more intensity after the restart, forcing Bayer 04 into more defensive work. Leverkusen thought they had doubled their lead on the hour mark through Martin Terrier after another Grimaldo assist, but the goal was disallowed for offside following a VAR check.

Emre Can later attempted an overhead kick that almost found Serhou Guirassy, but Bayer keeper Mark Flekken reacted well (83’). Despite a late push from the home side, they were unable to break through, as the Werkself held on to book their place in the next round.

Nusa and Baumgartner turn it around for Leipzig

The match between the two sides got off to a cagey start before Magdeburg had the first big chance of the night: Alexander Nollenberger skipped past Lukas Klostermann and forced a save from goalkeeper Maarten Vandevoordt (7’). Klostermann was in the spotlight again shortly after, bringing down Falko Michel in the box. Referee Felix Zwayer pointed to the spot, and Silas Gnaka calmly converted after a short VAR check to make it 1-0 (11’).

Leipzig’s response was swift. In the 19th minute, Antonio Nusa fired in a spectacular equaliser from over 20 yards, the ball crashing in off the inside of the left post. Just over ten minutes later, the home side completed the turnaround. After Michel lost possession, Leipzig launched a neat passing move that ended with Conrad Harder squaring for Christoph Baumgartner to slot home for 2-1 (29’). 

Leipzig would go on to add a third shortly after the restart. Nusa broke down the right and picked out Baumgartner, who poked a clever finish into the bottom-left corner to complete his brace (54’).

The Bundesliga side stayed in control throughout the second half, though Magdeburg saw more of the ball in the closing stages. In injury time, substitute Andrija Maksimovic appeared to make it four, but the goal was ruled out for offside. Leipzig saw out the result and can now look forward to the quarter-finals after a confident 3-1 victory.