Heiko Herrlich's team clocked up the first away win of the season on Saturday with a fantastic 5-1 victory over Borussia Mönchengladbach. The Werkself played in their red away strip. Tonight, Bayer 04 are looking to extend the run in red and will again play in the all red kit. The visitors from Berlin, who knocked out fourth division FC Saarbrücken in the first round will play in black.
The Werkself and Union Berlin have met once before. That was on 29 October 2003, also in the second round of the DFB Cup. The Berliners were at home back then. The Werkself inflicted a 5-0 win on the second division side at their Alte Försterei ground – Hanno Balitsch, Dimitar Berbatov (2), Daniel Bierofka and Robson Ponte scored for Bayer 04 then managed by Klaus Augenthaler. Moreover: The only other team to win by the same margin against Union in the DFB Cup was Werder Bremen in August 2009.
Union Berlin sprang a surprise in 2000/01 when they reached the DFB Cup final only to lose 2-0 against Bundesliga side Schalke 04. The club from the east of the capital were not able to build on that success. In the following seasons they were knocked out twice in the Round of 16, eight times in the first round and four times in the second. This is the eighth time Union Berlin have been drawn against a Bundesliga side and the matches against teams from Germany's top flight have not been a great success for Union – the last six ties have all gone in favour of the team from the Bundesliga. The Werkself will be happy to see that run continue. The Berlin side were knocked out in the second round last term in a brave performance against Borussia Dortmund that ended in a 3-0 defeat on penalties.
Many Werkself fans will have bad memories of last season's cup campaign: the 2-2 scoreline after extra time at Sportfreunde Lotte resulted in a penalty shoot-out that the third division side won 4-3 in front of their own fans to go through to the Round of 16. For Bayer 04 that was the sixth exit from the DFB Cup against teams from lower divisions in the past eleven years (against second division MSV Duisburg (05/06), FC St. Pauli (07/08), FC Kaiserslautern (09/10 and 13/14), Dynamo Dresden (11/12) plus last season's defeat against third division Lotte. However, Bayer 04 have come out on top 17 times in the last 27 cup ties against second division sides.
Julian Brandt is set to make his ninth DFB Cup appearance against the team from Berlin. The 21-year-old can look back on an impressive record: in his last eight matches the Werkself number ten was involved in nine goals (one goal, eight assists). Brandt contributed two assists two months ago in the 3-0 first round win away to Karlsruher SC.
Joel Pohjanpalo played a large part in progressing against Karlsruhe when he scored to make it 2-0. The 23-year-old Finn has scored five times against Union Berlin in his career to date – with his former clubs VfR Aalen and Fortuna Düsseldorf. The overall record is on his side: three wins, one defeat and a draw. Given Kevin Volland is sidelined through injury, the chances have risen of the Finland international getting a game. His first double in Germany was scored by the Bayer 04 super sub in May 2014 – In a 3-0 home win for Aalen against Union.
Calling all Bayer 04 fans: The Werkself will play Pisa SC, newly promoted to Serie A, at the BayArena as part of the season opener. The clash with the club from Tuscany is on Tuesday, 5 August with the kick-off at 18:00 CET. Entrance to the stadium with a wide range of entertainment provided is possible from 15:00 CEST. Read on for information on ticket sales for the season opener.
Show moreBayer 04 Leverkusen have signed the 17-year-old forward Dustin Buck. The Germany youth international joins from the youth set-up at FC Augsburg. The technically gifted and fast attacker will strengthen the Werkself U19 squad.
Show moreA new look and new kit supplier for the 2025/26 campaign: Bayer 04 in tandem with sports equipment manufacturer New Balance present the official kit for the Leverkusen eSports players the coming season. New partner Sinology appears on the top right of the jersey. Menswear outfitters Lerros is still the main eSports sponsor and Niedax remains the sleeve partner. The jersey is available now from the Bayer 04 online shop and the Fanwelt.
Show moreThe Werkself will welcome Serie A newcomers Pisa SC to the BayArena for a friendly on Tuesday, 5 August (kick-off: 18:00 CEST / stadium opens: 15:00) as part of the season opener celebrations. Bayer 04 will offer fans a lively and varied supporting programme on the stadium concourse. Ahead of kick-off, both the men's and women's senior squads will be introduced on the pitch.
Show moreBosnia U19 international Kerim Alajbegovic is moving from Bayer 04 Leverkusen's youth set-up to Red Bull Salzburg. The talented attacking midfielder has signed a long-term contract with the Austrian club. At the same time, the works club secured a buy-back option for the 17-year-old, who was one of the mainstays of the Leverkusen U19s.
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