Bayer Leverkusen, the defending champions, faced a challenging start to their German Cup title defense with a narrow 1-0 victory over fourth-tier Carl Zeiss Jena, highlighted by Jonas Hofmann's header in the 52nd minute. Despite dominating possession and recording 16 shots, Leverkusen struggled to create clear-cut chances, a fact that frustrated coach Xabi Alonso, who had benched several key players. The match served as a precursor to their upcoming Bundesliga clash against title rivals RB Leipzig, where Leverkusen will seek to assert their dominance following last season's unbeaten campaign. Both teams have retained most of their star players in the off-season, setting the stage for a competitive matchup. Leverkusen's recent performances have raised concerns, with players acknowledging the need for improvement after their lackluster display against Jena. Meanwhile, Jena's resilience against the champions may bolster their confidence as they continue their own league campaign.