Back
5.03.2020Bayer 04

Amiri sidelined – accolade for Bellarabi

Bayer 04 midfielder Nadiem Amiri is sidelined due to an injury suffered in yesterday's DFB Cup quarter-final against Union Berlin (3-1). One of his teammates was named Man of the Match and another topped off his goal with a special celebration. News in brief on Thursday.
crop_20200220_schueler_b04_fcp_1373.jpg

Setback for our number 11: Nadiem Amiri suffered a shoulder injury in the home game against the team from Berlin. The Germany international, who had to be substituted at half-time due to the injury, will now start rehab at the Werkstatt in the BayArena.

Bellarabi 'Man of the Match'

Amiri's teammate Karim Bellarabi was not only able to celebrate equalising at 1-1 and his assist to make it 3-1, but he was also named Man of the Match. With half of all the votes in the DFB poll, the 29-year-old came top ahead of Union’s Markus Ingvartsen and yesterday's Werkself captain Kai Havertz.

Bayer 04 fans shared that view on Twitter: Over 41% voted substitute Bellarabi as the Man of the Match. That put Bellarabi ahead of Charles Aránguiz (25.4%) and Moussa Diaby (23.4%). Goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky on Bellarabi's nomination: "He deserved to be the Man of the Match!"

'Diababy' celebration

After coming on for the second half, Werkself winger Moussa Diaby really shone in the DFB Cup quarter-final against Union Berlin. The new dad – his son Ismail is one week old – treated himself to the goal to make it 3-1 (90+1'). And a suitable celebration obviously had to follow (see photo).

2020304_NB_B04_gegen_Union_Berlin_DFB_Pokal_74835.jpg
Winger Moussa Diaby with his 'baby' celebration.

Over one million viewers

An average of one million viewers (market share of 3.9%) watched the quarter-final game between the Werkself and Union Berlin on the free to air TV channel Sport1. At its peak, 1.4 million viewers switched on to Sport1. The highlights of the game on ARD at 23.00 CET were watched by 3.57 million viewers (market share of 20%).

Draw on Sunday

Who the Werkself will play in the DFB Cup semi-finals will be revealed on Sunday night from 18.00 CET on the ARD Sportschau, which will be broadcast live from the German Football Museum in Dortmund. Bayer 04 goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky has expressed a wish for Germany women’s goalkeeper Almuth Schult who is making the draw: "Who do I want? Anyone but Bayern away." The Werkself and FC Bayern are joined in the draw by Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt and Regional League FC Saarbrücken. The latter are the first fourth division side in a DFB Cup semi-final – and they will be at home.

Get well soon, Ömer!

The initial fear that the former Bayer 04 central defender Ömer Toprak had suffered a fracture of the fibula was happily not confirmed. The 30-year-old Werder Bremen defender was fouled by Filip Kostic (90+1') in last night’s 2-0 defeat in the DFB Cup quarter-final against Eintracht Frankfurt. The Serbian was sent off while Toprak was carried off the pitch on a stretcher. An exact diagnosis has been confirmed: The Turk suffered a lacerated and contused wound to his calf. Toprak made 203 appearances for the Black and Reds between 2011 and 2017. He scored seven goals and provided five assists along the way. Bayer 04 wish him a speedy recovery and a quick comeback.

Prospects for Saturday

The Werkself are back in action on Saturday, 7 March (kick-off: 15.30 CET) in a Bundesliga fixture against Eintracht Frankfurt: The BayArena will be bursting at the seams with the Werkself in such good form – and one or two goals appear guaranteed. At least if you believe the statistics: Eintracht Frankfurt and Bayer 04 have played each other 69 times in the Bundesliga and there has never been a 0-0 draw – a Bundesliga record.

Bewerb_Schwadbud_HomepageMediumRectangle_300x250px_Bremenvs.jpg

Related News

Kurzpässe vor #TSGB04
Bundesliga - 25.10.2026

Matchday news: Strong form and on a roll

The Werkself still have a score to settle with TSG Hoffenheim: Bayer 04 lost both matches against the Kraichgau side last term – after the Black and Reds had won all the previous five encounters. Leverkusen are currently on a roll and looking to kick off a new winning streak against TSG in Sinsheim on Sunday 25 October (kick-off: 15:30 CET), and Patrik Schick is keen to continue his current run of form. However, it will not be easy, as coach Christian Ilzer’s team have also gained confidence recently. Today’s matchday news.

Show more
Jonas Hofmann und Co. nach Abpfiff
Europa League - 23.10.2026

Werkself Review: Next clean sheet and hunger for goals

Bayer 04 march on! On the Greek holiday island of Crete, the Werkself made it three wins from three games in the 2026/27 UEFA Europa League league phase against Greek Cup winners OFI Crete. Carles Martínez's side put on an attacking display with a total of 33 attempts, while one player in particular stood out with a brace. At the same time, they kept another clean sheet in Europe. All the reaction and analysis of the 2-0 victory in the Werkself Review.

Show more
Ticket-Infos
Bayer 04 - 23.10.2026

Tickets for upcoming Bayer 04 matches

An overview of current ticket sales for Bayer 04 home and away matches in the 2026/27 season.

Show more
Highlights of 2-0 win at OFI Crete | 3rd matchday UEL
Werkself-TV - 22.10.2026

Highlights of 2-0 win at OFI Crete

Werkself TV shows the highlights of Bayer 04's 2-0 win at OFI Crete on Matchday 3 of the 2026/27 Europa League season...

Show more