Bayer Leverkusen defeat St Pauli 3-0 to advance to German Cup semi-finals

Bayer Leverkusen claimed a 3-0 win against St Pauli on home soil on Tuesday, thanks to strikes from Martin Terrier, Patrik Schick, and Jonas Hofmann, securing their place in the German Cup semi-finals.

Though Leverkusen were not entirely fluid in their play, they overpowered a beleaguered St Pauli team, which has secured only one victory in its last nine outings and currently languishes in second-bottom spot in the Bundesliga.

This result advances the two-time German Cup champions into the last four of the tournament for the third successive season.

Following a summer of significant changes, coach Kasper Hjulmand had been emphasising the integration of promising young players this season, yet he shifted his strategy for this fixture upon recognising a potential path to a trophy.

The average age of his starting lineup stood at 28 years and seven months, marking Leverkusens oldest team in any competition since 1998.

Around the 15-minute mark, Schick squandered a prime opportunity to break the deadlock with the goalkeeper out of position, firing his shot straight at Karol Mets in defence.

Terrier broke the impasse in the 30th minute, capitalising on a rebound from Schicks effort and bending the ball into the top-left corner of the net.

Sixty-three minutes into the match, Schick atoned for his prior misses by arriving perfectly timed to redirect an Aleix Garcia delivery across the goalmouth and into the bottom corner.

As St Pauli surged forward in search of a consolation during added time, Leverkusen struck on the counter, with Alejandro Grimaldo threading an excellent pass to set up Hofmann for the finish.

Holstein Kiel will entertain the reigning cup champions Stuttgart on Wednesday. Come next week, Hertha Berlin face the 2022 finalists Freiburg at home, while 20-time champions Bayern Munich welcome RB Leipzig to the Allianz Arena.

The showpiece event is set for Berlins Olympic Stadium on 23 May.