Bayer Leverkusen marked the start of the Erik ten Hag era with a 4-0 victory over fourth-tier Grossaspach in the opening round of the German Cup on Friday, a match interrupted by a 45-minute storm delay.

Play was halted after 15 minutes when a hailstorm swept across the ground in south-western Germany, leaving puddles across the pitch with the score still 0-0.

When the match resumed, Patrik Schick broke the deadlock in the 32nd minute, heading in from an Amine Adli cross to give the cup holders the lead. Grossaspach, however, carved out several chances of their own, testing Leverkusen’s rhythm in their first competitive outing under Ten Hag, who replaced Xabi Alonso in the summer.

Leverkusen took control after the break, with Arthur and Christian Kofane adding goals before Alex Grimaldo sealed the result from the penalty spot. The 2024 German Cup winners advanced comfortably to the second round despite early struggles.

In Friday’s other tie, last season’s beaten finalists Arminia Bielefeld stunned six-time winners Werder Bremen with a 1-0 win.