Back
1.07.2021Bayer 04

From the archives: The disgrace of ‘Bühl’

Bayer 04 Leverkusen were champions of the Regional League West in 1968 and just missed out on promotion to the first Bundesliga in the play-offs. Just six weeks after the last group match there was the first round of the Western German Cup at the ‘Im Bühl’ sports ground with a local derby against SV Schlebusch, who played a tier below their big rivals in the Middle Rhine Association League. Back then, qualification for the DFB Cup came via the regional cup competitions.
19710725_Westdeutscher_Pokal_Schlebusch_2.jpg

The Leverkusen city clash was played on Sunday 28 July in front of 4,000 spectators. The weather was sunny with pleasant temperatures. Not so pleasant was the shale pitch at Bühl that presented the Bayer 04 players with problems. The incredible happened on 76 minutes: Krumbach made it 1-0 for the Black and Yellows. Bayer 04 were lucky and can thank goalkeeper Hans Benzler that the defeat was not by a bigger margin. The Werkself had one chance to level with a free kick from Klaus Görtz that drew a brilliant save from the Schlebusch keeper Schiller as turned the ball onto the post. The clearly peeved Bayer 04 coach Theo Kirchberg summed up the game as follows: "Professional players must be able to beat an amateur team on a hard pitch. There are no excuses. It's a disgrace for us."

19710725_Westdeutscher_Pokal_Schlebusch_5.jpg

 

Revenge came a year later and this time the professional players made no mistakes from the start. Bayer 04 sailed through to the second round with a 7-0 victory.

The third and to date the last time there was a clash with SV Schlebusch was on 25 July 1971. Bayer 04 clocked up a 5-1 victory in front of 2,000 spectators.

Related News

Dieter Bast wird 75 | Geburtstagskind des Monats August I
Bayer 04 - 01.08.2026

Birthday Boy of the Month 1: Dieter Bast turns 75

Dieter Bast was born in Oberhausen on 28 August 1951. He began playing football in the youth team at DJK Arminia Klosterhardt, a local club in Oberhausen. Whilst training as a toolmaker, he moved to neighbouring club Sterkrade 06/07 to play for their U19s, where he caught the eye of Bundesliga sides Rot-Weiss Essen and Borussia Mönchengladbach. Bast opted for Rot-Weiss and played in the Bundesliga from 1970 onwards. In his very first year, he made 22 appearances as a right winger, scoring three goals. Nevertheless, Essen were unable to avoid relegation.

Show more
Roque Júnior wird 50 | Geburtstagskind des Monats August II
Bayer 04 - 01.08.2026

Birthday Boy of the Month 2: Roque Júnior turns 50

José Vítor Roque Júnior was born on 31 August 1976 in Santa Rita do Sapucaí, in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais. As a youth, he played for São José EC, a club in the east of the state of São Paulo. His professional career began in 1995 with Palmeiras São Paulo. There, Roque Júnior quickly established himself as a key player in the team, making more than 200 appearances and enjoying significant success. With the club, he won the Copa do Brasil in 1998 and the Copa Libertadores in 1999, the South American equivalent of the European Champions League.

Show more
Von Pohjanpalo bis Ökland | Tore des Monats August
Bayer 04 - 01.08.2026

Goals of the month: From Pohjanpalo to Ökland

In this video you can see impressive and important goals in the history of Bayer 04 from the month of August. It's not always about the beauty of the goals, but also a reminder of special games and players.

Show more
crop_19510819_Fredy_Mutz_1.jpg
Bayer 04 - 01.08.2026

From the archives: 75 years ago – The Bayer Lion triumphs over the Essen tomcat

The Werkself play their first top-flight match in Bayer 04’s history away at Sportfreunde Katernberg. 7,000 spectators turn up at the Am Lindenbruch stadium in that district of Essen. The Katernbergers have transformed the once ‘barren’ pitch into a real gem. On this Sunday afternoon, 19 August 1951, the lush turf provides the perfect conditions for a good game of football.

Show more
Vor 25 Jahren – Die Vize-Triple-Saison 2001/02 | Geschichte des Monats August II
Bayer 04 - 01.08.2026

History: 25 years ago – The 2001/02 treble runners-up season (August)

Following a thoroughly successful start with a 2–1 home win against VfL Wolfsburg, the Werkself are organising a team event. On Wednesdays, they head to the Nürburgring together and do a few laps at speed. Manager Klaus Toppmöller welcomes this initiative, as it promotes team spirit and integration. During weekly training sessions, the team works extensively on various defensive tactics, as the manager was dissatisfied with his players’ pressing in the final minutes of the match against the Wolves.

Show more