Bayer Leverkusen beat SV Wehen Wiesbaden 4:0 as new DFB substitution rule forces temporary shorthanded play
Carles Martinez secured a 4:0 victory in his competitive debut as Bayer Leverkusen manager against SV Wehen Wiesbaden, despite a 65th-minute substitution delay that left his team with ten men.
Opening victory in Wiesbaden
Bayer Leverkusen opened their competitive campaign under new head coach Carles Martinez with a 4:0 victory against third-division side SV Wehen Wiesbaden in the first round of the DFB-Pokal. In front of 12,000 spectators at the Brita-Arena, including 4,000 traveling Leverkusen supporters, the Bundesliga side controlled the match after an initial spell of resistance. Martinez made two adjustments from Leverkusen's final pre-season friendly against Newcastle United, starting goalkeeper Janis Blaswich over Mark Flekken and choosing Patrik Schick to lead the attack ahead of Christian Kofane, with Edmond Tapsoba captaining the side. After an early Wiesbaden header from Niklas May was saved in the 19th minute, Schick opened the scoring in the 43rd minute by converting a rebound after Malik Tillman's initial attempt was parried. Lucas Vazquez doubled the advantage in the 47th minute, scoring from a tight angle after Wiesbaden goalkeeper Noah Brdar stopped Schick's header.
Substitution delay triggers ten-man penalty
The fixture featured an early enforcement of new DFB timing rules during a substitution in the second half. In the 65th minute, Schick took longer than ten seconds to leave the pitch after his substitution was signaled. Under the updated regulations, incoming forward Christian Kofane was forced to wait on the sideline for more than a minute until the next stoppage in play, leaving Leverkusen shorthanded with ten men on the field. Leverkusen navigated the penalty without conceding, and their substitutes quickly expanded the lead once Kofane entered. In the 69th minute, Nathan Tella finished an assist from Ibrahim Maza to make it 3:0, before Kofane scored the final goal in the 79th minute.
- Patrik Schick scores the opening goal on a rebound
- Lucas Vazquez doubles the lead from a tight angle
- Patrik Schick exceeds substitution exit time, leaving Leverkusen shorthanded for a minute
- Nathan Tella converts Ibrahim Maza's pass for the third goal
- Christian Kofane scores to complete the 4:0 win
Divided reactions from club leadership
The forced one-minute delay produced differing reactions within Leverkusen's management. Sporting director Simon Rolfes supported the strict refereeing, arguing that early enforcement helps squads internalize the time limits quickly.
I think it is good that something like this happened. The players simply have to get used to walking a bit faster, running right away, or being smart enough to find the nearest touchline. Then that will not happen.
Rolfes added that while having a player wait outside for a minute is annoying, it serves the overall goal of maximizing active playing time. Head coach Martinez voiced frustration from the technical area during the delay, calling for practical flexibility when players are exiting the pitch.
The players run, and then maybe it is eleven seconds. I think we have to find a good balance between the intention of the rule and the practice.
Broader regulations against match delays
The substitution rule forms part of a wider package of timing measures implemented to curb time-wasting. Referees now enforce a five-second countdown on throw-ins and goal kicks, expanding the eight-second limit previously applied to goalkeepers holding the ball. If a team fails to restart play before the countdown expires, possession transfers to the opponent via a throw-in or a corner kick. Additionally, players requiring on-field medical attention that causes a stoppage must leave the pitch and remain on the sideline for at least one full minute following the resumption of play.
