Bayer Leverkusen scored six goals in the opening 32 minutes to beat fourth tier club Norderstedt 7-0 in the German Cup first round on Sunday but fellow Bundesliga club Hoffenheim needed penalties to edge past amateurs Chemnitzer.
Leverkusen, who sold attacking midfielder Kai Havertz and striker Kevin Volland this summer, were missing none of their firepower as they scored three times in the opening 12 minutes through Lars Bender, Nadiem Amiri and Lucas Alario.
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Another three goals in 10 minutes quickly ended proceedings at the empty BayArena stadium, after the official home team, Norderstedt, had relinquished the home advantage for this round.
New Leverkusen striker Patrik Schick, who came on as a substitute, grabbed their seventh goal on 77 minutes to complete the rout.
Hoffenheim were in control for much of the game but had to wait until 48 minutes to take the lead through Andrej Kramaric's tap-in.
Kevin Freiberger's fine turn and shot brought the hosts level on the hour and sent the game into extra time before a Christian Bickel strike put them in the driving seat.
It was forward Kramaric who came to the rescue, earning a penalty after 111 minutes and kept his cool to grab the equaliser.
Hoffenheim keeper Oliver Baumann saved the two first penalties in the subsequent shootout and Bickel missed the target with his spot kick to give Hoffenheim coach Sebastian Hoeness a winning debut.