The draw was made by former Germany international Christoph Metzelder and the Germany U21 coach Stefan Kuntz.
"The main thing is to be at home," said striker Kevin Volland after the 4-1 win in the first round at Alemannia Aachen. That wish has come true. The Werkself will go into the DFB Cup clash at the BayArena with the backing of their fans plus the experience gained in the opening Bundesliga match of the season. In an entertaining Bundesliga encounter on matchday one, the teams coached by Peter Bosz and Steffen Baumgart were separated by just one goal in the 3-2 win for Bayer 04. Leon Bailey, Kevin Volland and Kai Havertz scored for Leverkusen. Bayer 04 sporting director Simon Rolfes: "A very challenging draw as the Bundesliga game against Paderborn proves. It's great that we’re at home. And, of course, we want to win the tie."
Bayer 04 fans can look forward to the rematch at the end of October. Ticket information to follow.
Bayer 04 Leverkusen have appointed Carles Martínez Novell as the new head coach. The 42-year-old Spaniard worked for FC Toulouse in the French Ligue 1 until the end of the season. Martínez finished last term in ninth place with the club from the south of France. He will take over the Werkself on 1 July 2026 and has signed a contract to 30 June 2028. Martínez, whose contract with Toulouse expires at the end of the month, succeeds Kasper Hjulmand at Leverkusen, who is leaving the club after one season.
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Welcome to Leverkusen, Carles Martínez Novell. Bayer 04 have appointed the 42-year-old Spaniard as the new head coach on a contract to 2028. Martínez most recently worked for FC Toulouse in the French Ligue 1 until the end of the season. He previously spent four years at Barcelona's legendary academy La Masia in his home city. Bayer04.de introduces Martínez in more detail.
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Bayer 04 plans for the 2026/27 pre-season continue to take shape. The Werkself will kick off the new season in mid-July with the return to the training ground. The highlight will be the official season opener on 8 August at the BayArena, including a friendly against La Liga club Sevilla. Friendlies in Germany will take the team to neighbouring Monheim, Offenbach and Jena.
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Strengthening the Bayer 04 Leverkusen youth teams: Konstantinos Kotsifakis will join the Werkself from Bundesliga 2 club Hertha Berlin for the 2026/27 season, where he will be a permanent member of the Leverkusen U19 coaching set-up. The German-Greek will also take on an operational role in coaching the Bayer 04 Future Team. The 29-year-old was most recently head coach of the U17s at Hertha Berlin.
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Another award for the Bayer 04 head groundsman and staff: After coming top in the 2021/22, 2022/23 and 2024/25 seasons, the BayArena pitch came second in the Bundesliga Pitch of the Year ranking for the 2025/26 season. VfL Wolfsburg secured the top spot this year, with TSG Hoffenheim in third place.
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