DFB Pokal 2023/2024: Leverkusen To Quarter Finals

Bayer Leverkusen beat Pederborn in DFB Pokal 2023/2024 (Instagram/@bayer04fussball).

Bayer Leverkusen managed to advance to the quarter-finals of the German Cup or DFB Pokal 2023/2024 after defeating Pederborn 3-1 at BayArena, Thursday, December 7, 2023.

Three goals from Xabi Alonso's team were contributed by Victor Boniface (12'), Exequiel Alejandro Palacios (28'), and Patrick Schick (87').

Leverkusen appeared dominant against the Bundesliga team 2. They control 65 percent of the ball and create 15 shots of which eight are on target.

The Black and Reds scored a quick goal when the game had only been running for 12 minutes. Boniface managed to cheat Josip Stanisic's cross from the right side of the attack.

Winning 1-0 did not make Leverkusen relax the pressure. They apply a high defensive line that makes it difficult for Pagerborn to develop the game.

The visitors even found it difficult to get out of their own area. Leverkusen successfully broke his opponent's attack before entering his area.

The scheme resulted in a second goal in the 28th minute. Successfully snatching the ball in the opponent's area, Palacios immediately sent a direct pass into the penalty box.

Jeremie Frimpong then controlled the ball in the penalty box before returning the ball to Palacios who was preparing to shoot. Palacios' shot failed to be blocked by goalkeeper Pelle Boevink.

Paderborn is not without a chance. One shot into the net came near the end of the first half.

Florent Muslija executes a direct free kick, but can still be parried by Matej Kovar.

The 2-0 score for the host lasted until halftime.

The second half of Pederborn managed to take advantage of Leverkusen's slack pressure. They created chances several times.

The visitors only managed to reduce the gap in the 83rd minute. Starting from Adriano Grimaldi's flick in the goal mouth which could still be blocked by the opposing defender, a wild ball outside the penalty box was immediately struck by Sebastian Klaas.

However, it was the only goal for Paderborn. In fact, Leverkusen added the advantage to 3-1.

Frimpong scored his second assist for Patrick Schick's goal. He took off a low cross into the mouth of the Paderborn goal.

Schick, who escaped the escort, easily cheated on the ball.

The victory brought Bayer Leverkusen to the quarter-finals of the 2023/2024 DFB Pokal. Xabi Alonso's students became one of three Bundesliga teams that qualified for the last eight.