Kai, you didn't produce your best performance against Stuttgart but are through to the quarter-finals. What's your assessment of the game a few days after the match?
We knew beforehand it would be a tough game. Stuttgart are in the second division and at the end of the day we've got more quality in our squad but it was the DFB Cup. The underdogs always have a chance. And Stuttgart played well. They sat back and were very compact in defence. That meant we had little space and they were able to play on the break. And they did that well several times. It definitely wasn't our best game in this competition although it's only really all about going through to the next round.
You were captain of Bayer 04 for the first time against VfB. How did you feel on the night?
Personally, it's obviously a great feeling. Being allowed to be captain of this team is, in my eyes, appreciation for the years of hard work for this club. It really means something to me to be able to lead the team onto the pitch as captain even if my first priority is to play football. And then it's not so important if I've got the armband or not.
Dortmund went out of the cup against Werder Bremen but have really impressed in the league with three wins and incredible power up front. How do think the game will turn out?
I've got a good feeling about the game. We can't afford to sit back and we have to be very confident. That will be necessary. For me, BVB are currently one of the best teams in the league along with Bayern and Leipzig. It will be a really tough task. But we'll do all we can to win the game.
How can you, as a team, keep on top of the outstanding BVB strikers Haaland and Sancho?
They've got a terrific attack. Don't forget Julian Brandt. I think he's a key factor in the recent run in the Bundesliga alongside Haaland and Sancho. Of course, it will be important to organise our overall defence but we should think about our own strengths first. In the first half of the season we showed we could dominate against Dortmund. We should build on that and use our chances better than in the first match this season.
You played alongside Julian 'Jule' Brandt at Bayer 04 for many years . But I suppose your friendship will be over for 90 minutes?
We’re good at separating the two things. I can remember our legendary clash on the console. (He smiles). On the pitch, we’ll do all we can to win for our teams and afterwards he will be very welcome to come into our dressing room.
Werkself-TV shows the highlights of Bayer 04's 4-0 win at Wehen Wiesbaden in the first round of the DFB-Pokal 2026/27...
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Bayer 04 have comfortably reached the DFB Pokal second round thanks to a 4–0 victory away to Liga 3 side SV Wehen Wiesbaden. Patrik Schick put the Werkself ahead in the first 45 in the first competitive match under head coach Carles Martínez with debuts for new signings Miguel Gutiérrez, Afonso Moreira and Facundo Medina. After the break, Lucas Vázquez (47'), Nathan Tella (69') and Christian Kofane (79') also found the back of the net.
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Today brings the first match of the season for the Werkself. Bayer 04 kick off the 2026/27 campaign today, Saturday 22 August, at 13:00 CEST with a first-round DFB Pokal tie away to third-tier side SV Wehen Wiesbaden. The 3,700 travelling fans can not only look forward to what will hopefully be a successful start to the season, but also now organise their journeys to Black and Reds games even more easily via the WERKSELFgo car-share platform. Meanwhile, following two defeats at the start of the league season, SV Wehen are hoping to spring a surprise in the DFB Pokal tie. Today’s matchday news.
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Carolin Simon is the new captain of the Bayer 04 women’s team. The full-back, who joined from Bayern Munich in the summer, will take over the captain’s armband for the 2026/27 season. Simon returned to Leverkusen in the summer after ten years away. The 33-year-old succeeds goalkeeper Friederike Repohl, who retired at the end of last season.
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