Bayer Leverkusen defeats SV Wehen Wiesbaden 4-0 in Carles Martínez debut

Competitive debut under Carles Martínez

Bayer Leverkusen began their official 2026 campaign with a 4-0 away victory over third-tier SV Wehen Wiesbaden in the first round of the DFB-Pokal. The match marked the competitive debut of head coach Carles Martínez on the Leverkusen bench. Martínez made two changes compared to the starting lineup deployed in their final pre-season test against Newcastle United, a 2-1 win. Janis Blaswich started as the designated cup goalkeeper in place of Mark Flekken, while Patrik Schick started as the central striker ahead of Christian Kofane. Defender Edmond Tapsoba led the side onto the pitch as captain, following a leadership reshuffle involving Robert Andrich, Tapsoba, and Schick.

Breakthrough before half-time

Playing before 12,000 spectators at the Brita-Arena in Wiesbaden, the Bundesliga side encountered a compact defensive setup from Daniel Scherning's team. Wiesbaden had started their domestic season with two consecutive defeats at the bottom of the 3. Liga, but created early chances through set pieces in drizzling rain. In the 19th minute, Niklas May directed a header toward goal following a free kick, which Blaswich secured. Schick had previously sent an early chance wide in the fourth minute, cleared Wiesbaden's first corner in the tenth minute, and seen a 14th-minute goal disallowed due to an offside position. Leverkusen broke the deadlock in the 43rd minute as the weather cleared. Lucas Vázquez delivered a cross to Malik Tillman, whose bouncing shot was parried into the path of Schick, who converted the rebound.

Prior to kickoff in Wiesbaden, Martínez had defined the club's ambitions for the tournament.

Naturally, as Bayer 04, we want to win the cup in the end. But for that, we first have to take the first step, put in a good performance, and move into the next round.

Second-half expansion and substitute impact

Leverkusen doubled their advantage in the 47th minute under the smoke of red pyrotechnics set off by the visiting supporters. Afonso Moreira played a pass to Schick, whose header was pushed aside by Wiesbaden goalkeeper Noah Brdar. Vázquez collected the loose ball and finished from a tight angle into the far corner. With a 2-0 advantage, Leverkusen reduced their tempo and controlled possession, allowing Martínez to bring on fresh players.

In the 69th minute, substitute Kofane gained possession in midfield and passed to Ibrahim Maza inside the penalty area. Maza provided a backheel assist to Nathan Tella, who had recently entered the pitch, and Tella struck to make it 3-0. Kofane completed the scoring in the 79th minute, ten minutes before the final whistle, to confirm Leverkusen's progression in the first competitive meeting between the two clubs.

First-round tournament outcomes

The victory secured Leverkusen's place in the second round of the DFB-Pokal in front of approximately 4,000 traveling supporters. SV Wehen Wiesbaden were eliminated following their opening-round loss. In another first-round tie played on the same day, Bundesliga side FC Augsburg advanced with a 2-0 away victory against 2. Bundesliga newcomers Energie Cottbus, with second-half goals scored by Anton Kade and Kristijan Jakic.