It is the game of all games in Germany. The 77th final of the DFB Cup takes place on 4 July 2020. At the Olympic Stadium in Berlin. With Bayer 04 Leverkusen. Against Bayern Munich. While the trip to the capital is almost a yearly routine for the record cup winners in the early summer, this football summit marks the fulfilment of a long cherished dream for supporters of the Werkself.
Back in the final at last! Andreas ‘Paffi’ Paffrath, Torsten Schäfer and Hendrik Walter can vouch for that. They were fans when Bayer 04 competed for the cup in 1993, 2002 and 2009 and their reports are included in this special edition of the Werkself Magazine. Memories that are part of a fan's life – anecdotes for countless, enjoyable get-togethers. But the other contemporaries we hear from in the magazine from Simon Rolfes, Lukas Hradecky, Andreas Thom and Carsten Ramelow through to René Adler leave no doubt: Berlin always was and is worth a visit. The clash at the Olympic Stadium is the emotional high point of the football season.
For fans it is even more: This weekend in early summer is a pilgrimage, a confirmation of support, the destination of desire. Against that background, it was our concern to pull out all the stops so that the final would be played in front of at least a certain number of supporters. But the legal situation is clear and we stood no chance. Talking about opportunities: FC Bayern are undoubtedly the favourites to win the final. The record cup winners have played the best second half of the Bundesliga season in the club's history. The team is packed with world-class players and they have found a coach in Hansi Flick who knows how to get the best out of his squad. But none of that counts in Berlin. It is a one-off game. It's a final. And we've twice proved in recent months that Bayern are not unbeatable.
And a look at our cup history also provides encouragement. We've had to overcome hurdles in all three cup competitions where the Werkself have reached the final. In the winning year of 1993, for example, the team led by the legendary strike partnership of Ulf Kirsten/Andreas Thom had to play Eintracht Frankfurt in the semi-finals – at the time the best team in Germany. And in the final we first had to fend off 60,000 Berliners and then the two public broadcasters ARD and ZDF. In 2002, a gargantuan challenge in three competitions led to the team coached by Klaus Toppmöller running out of steam in the end. By contrast in 2009, Bayern Munich were beaten in the quarter-finals on "neutral ground" but the weekend of the final was marked by misunderstandings and a lot of bad luck. At the same time, 2009 also saw the launch of 'Finally Red'. Anyone who wants to know more about those seasons can find out in the following pages.
Now, after eleven years, we are back in #B04RLIN. The desire is huge. For the golden trophy. For a title. That feeling was evident in 2002 and was strengthened in 2009: But we forgot something then. And now we want to definitely make amends for that this year. 27 years is enough.
We wish you a lot of fun in reading the magazine and all of us lots of success for the 77th DFB Cup final.
Best regards
Fernando Carro and Rudi Völler (Bayer 04 Leverkusen management)
Click HERE for the online version of the special edition of the Werkself Magazine for the DFB Cup final.
Werkself-TV shows the highlights of the Bayer 04 women's 1-3 loss at VfL Wolfsburg on the 22nd matchday of the Google Pixel Frauen-Bundesliga 2024/25...
Show moreBayer 04 Women ended their record-breaking 2024/25 Bundesliga season with a 3-1 defeat at Wolfsburg. It means Roberto Pätzold’s side finish the campaign with an unprecedented 43 points and 13 wins in fourth place for the club’s highest-ever finish. Cornelia Kramer scored the Werkself’s goal in the 75th minute.
Show moreBayer 04 host Borussia Dortmund in their final home game of the 2024/25 Bundesliga season. The Matchday 33 encounter this Sunday (3.30pm CEST) is a sell-out at the BayArena, which will say goodbye to several players like Jonathan Tah and also coach Xabi Alonso. Here’s all you need to know ahead of this crucial game for both teams.
Show moreIn front of a full house at the BayArena, Borussia Dortmund are the opponents on Bundesliga matchday 33 on Sunday, 11 May (kick-off: 15:30 CEST). For BVB it is about important points in the race for a Champions League spot while the Werkself are looking to maintain the chance of the second best season in the club's history. Speaking at the pre-match press conference, head coach Xabi Alonso talked about the approach to the clash. In addition, the Spaniard officially announced his departure from Bayer 04 at the end of the season.
Show moreA few weeks ago Borussia Dortmund were marooned in mid-table mediocrity in the Bundesliga. Then the Black and Yellows started a run that overcame all comers. And suddenly a Champions League spot was again within reach. BVB will be looking to take the next step towards the big target at the BayArena on Sunday, 11 May (kick-off: 15:30 CEST). Coach Niko Kovac has almost his full squad available. The lowdown on our next opponents.
Show more