Elversberg celebrates coup against Leverkusen

Created: 07/30/2022Updated: 07/30/2022, 18:40

Goal scorer Kevin Conrad (r) from Elversberg cheers about the goal to 4:2.

© Uwe Anspach/dpa

SV Elversberg throws Bayer Leverkusen out of the cup.

The surprising victory is well deserved.

Like the fans, coach Steffen is enthusiastic about his team's performance.

Spiesen-Elversberg - After their cup coup against Bayer Leverkusen, the SV Elversberg players hugged each other and enjoyed the ovations of the fans.

With the 4: 3 (3: 2), the third division promoted team managed a big surprise in front of 7414 spectators on Saturday and thus made it into the second round.

"I'm overjoyed with the win and the way we played," said SVE coach Horst Steffen.

“The boys delivered mightily.

You made a great game.

As far as I'm concerned, it can go on like this.”

Jannik Rochelt in the 2nd minute, Kevin Koffi (17th) with a penalty kick, Luca Schnellbacher (37th) and Kevin Conrad (74th) scored for the courageous outsider, who was always one step ahead of the Champions League starter that day was.

Goals from Adam Hlozek (5'), Charles Aránguiz (30') and Patrik Schick (89') weren't enough for the Werkself to progress.

“We noticed in the first half that something was possible here.

It was a great game.

I like this mentality of throwing yourself in and appearing self-confident,” said Steffen.

The game started five minutes late due to a broken goal net.

When it finally started, it took less than 120 seconds until the first goal scream.

Rochelt walked through the Bayer defense with the ball at his feet and beat the visiting goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky with a low shot.

The joy at the early lead didn't last long, however, as Leverkusen responded immediately.

New signing Hlozek hammered the ball into the net from 18 meters for a quick equaliser.

Elversberg's goalkeeper Nicolas Kristof didn't look good in the scene, but then distinguished himself twice with great reflexes against Leverkusen striker Schick.

The third-division leaders held out strongly and took the lead again.

Aránguiz brought goalscorer Rochelt down in the penalty area and Koffi converted the penalty.

Aránguiz made up for that mistake after half an hour to make it 2-2 on assist from Sardar Azmoun.

Two minutes later, Azmoun hit the post.

And the wild ride continued.

Now it was SVE's turn again.

Koffi fired his way down the left flank and fitted into the middle, where Schnellbacher completed at full speed.

Again the Bayer defense did not look good.

Leverkusen coach Gerardo Seoane reacted during the break and brought on two new midfielders in Paulinho and Kerem Demirbay.

The game didn't get any better for the guests.

"We didn't play well - neither offensively nor defensively.

The performance today was unsatisfactory in every respect,” Seoane summed up.

Rather, the home side continued to have the better chances and were rewarded for their efforts with Conrad's goal.

Schick's connection shortly before the end came too late for the favorite.

dpa