Bayer Leverkusen struggled to a 2-0 win over German fifth-division side Fortuna Cologne without Michael Ballack.

The Germany captain is still recovering from an ankle injury which ruled him out of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ and is hoping to be ready for the start of the season.

Stefan Kiessling and Daniel Schwaab saved Leverkusen's blushes against the lower league opposition, who had several good chances to score themselves.

Bundesliga rivals Hannover also disappointed with a 1-1 draw against second division opponents Osnabruck with Moritz Stoppelkamp hitting an equalising goal late on.

Elsewhere, there were wins for Freiburg and Nurnberg against second division sides. Freiburg defeated 1860 Munich 2-0 thanks to goals from Jonathan Jager and Maximilian Nicu, while Nurnberg put three goals past Duisburg without reply.

Andreas Wolf put the Bavarians on the way to victory and a brace from new signing Mehmet Ekici sealed the win for Dieter Hecking's side.