THE ROAD TO THE SEMI-FINAL
Bayer 04 are in the club’s first semi-final since 2009. Herrlich’s team has reached the last four this term by beating Karlsruher SC (3-0 a.e.t.), Union Berlin (4-1), Borussia Mönchengladbach (1-0) and Werder Bremen (4-2 a.e.t.). FC Bayern have progressed to the semi-finals by beating third division Chemnitzer FC (5-0), last season’s Bundesliga runners-up RB Leipzig (6-5 on penalties), holders Borussia Dortmund (2-1) and third division SC Paderborn (6-0). FC Bayern (18 DFB Cups) make their 250th appearance in the DFB Cup (including its predecessor the Tschammer Cup). A strange coincidence: Tie number 200 for FC Bayern in the Cup was also against Bayer 04 (in the quarter-finals in 2008/09 in Düsseldorf, see below).
BRANDT ON FIRE
With three goals and two assists, Julian Brandt has played a significant part in the Werkself reaching the semi-finals – not least because of his two goals in the 4-2 win against Werder Bremen in the quarter-finals. In the current competition, only Frankfurt’s Sébastien Haller can better the Werkself number 10 (four goals, two assists). In addition to Brandt, eight other players have scored for the Black and Red’s in the Cup this season: Leon Bailey (two), Dominik Kohr, Joel Pohjanpalo, Lucas Alario, Wendell, Charles Aránguiz, Karim Bellarabi and Kai Havertz (one each).
DANIEL SIEBERT the man in the middle
Tonight’s referee is Daniel Seibert. The 33-year-old Berliner is assisted by Lasse Koslowski and Markus Häcker with Harm Osmers the fourth official at Leverkusen. For Siebert, a referee in the Bundesliga since 2012 (74 top-flight games) and a FIFA referee since 2014, this tie will be his second DFB Cup game involving the Werkself. Bayer 04 won the first in a 7-6 win on penalties at FC Magdeburg at the end of October 2014 that saw them go through to the Round of 16. The overall record for the Werkself under Siebert is five wins, one draw and just two defeats for Bayer 04. However, both defeats for the Herrlich team came this season at the BayArena. They were a 2-0 defeat against Schalke in February and a 3-1 reverse in the first match of the second half of the season in the middle of January at home to Bayern Munich.
DFB Cup record 4-1 in favour of Bayern
This will be the sixth DFB Cup fixture between Bayer 04 and FC Bayern. With one semi-final and four quarter-finals, the final in Berlin was within reach – although the Werkself have only knocked out the record DFB Cup winners once: On 4 March 2009, the later DFB Cup finalists secured a 4-2 victory over FC Bayern in the quarter-finals (the match was played in Düsseldorf due to the rebuilding of the BayArena) with goals from Tranquillo Barnetta, Arturo Vidal, Patrick Helmes and Stefan Kießling. From a Werkself perspective, the previous meetings on 26 March 1985 at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium ended in a 3-1 home defeat (quarter-finals), a 2-0 reverse at the Olympic Stadium in Munich on 17 December 1997 (quarter-finals) and a 3-1 loss on 5 March 2003 (semi-finals). The last meeting in the DFB Cup on 8 April 2015 at the BayArena ended with the Werkself losing 5-3 on penalties after extra time preventing progress to the semi-finals.
Bayer 04 strong at home against Bayern
There is no doubt the Werkself will need an element of luck in addition to a perfect performance against the Champions League semi-finalists from the capital of Bavaria. The Werkself have only won one of the last 12 encounters – that was a 2-0 home win against Bayern in the league in May 2015. Otherwise, the record books show seven defeats and four draws against the team from Munich. However, apart from the disappointing Cup defeat on penalties three years ago, FC Bayern have only won one of the last five away games – in January of this year in the first match of the second half of the season. The other games ended all square. On the other hand, in their last 25 away games in the DFB Cup – since the defeat against Bayer 04 and 2009 – FC Bayern have always gone through to the next round on the road. That is not only impressive but also a record. On the other hand, the men from Munich have often found it difficult in away games at Leverkusen (and Düsseldorf) – the last two DFB Cup encounters have seen FC Bayern knocked out once and only go through on penalties in the other. Come on you Black and Reds!
minor milestones and a birthday boy
After Bernd Leno played match number 300 for Bayer 04 Leverkusen on Saturday in the 4-1 win against Eintracht Frankfurt, the Werkself number one now faces Bayern in DFB Cup tie number 20 – the 26--year-old is the most experienced player in the cup for the Werkself behind Stefan Kießling (32 Cup appearances including 28 for Bayer 04). Since his move to Leverkusen in 2012, Leno has only missed two DFB Cup games (2012; 3-2 a.e.t. at Armenia Bielefeld, 2016; 5-6 on penalties at SF Lotte) – in all the other ties he went the full distance playing a total of 1,885 minutes. Two other Werkself pros are set to celebrate reaching a minor black and red milestone: For Charles Aránguiz – on his 29th birthday – it would be his 70th match for Bayer 04 and Leon Bailey is set to make his 40th appearance for the Werkself
HEYNCKES' farewell tour
After the appointment of his successor last Friday, this will probably the last return for the departing Bayern coach Jupp Heynckes to his former stomping ground on Bismarckstraße. Heynckes had two very successful seasons with the Werkself from 2009 to 2011 (finishing fourth and second in the Bundesliga) before moving on to FC Bayern on a two-year contract that was crowned by winning the treble in 2013. The 72-year old has another chance to win the treble with Bayern Munich this season. That will be avoided tonight if everything goes in favour of Heiko Herrlich: “He is an outstanding role model for us coaches with everything that is achieved in his career. It’s really incredible. Nevertheless, only one team can go through. And if we have the chance to do that then we can’t afford to take account of that record,” said the Bayer 04 coach at the pre-match press conference before adding with a smile: “We wish him all the best and hope that Bayern Munich win the Champions League – and together with the league title that would be a huge success for him.” And not to be forgotten: Herrlich knows his way around in the Cup – the former striker lifted the trophy in 1993 with Bayer 04 and in 1995 with Borussia Mönchengladbach.
three former stars in the SCHWADBUD
As with every home game, the Schwadbud, offers all Bayer 04 fans the opportunity to get in the mood for the match together in a sociable environment. The Schwadbud in the East Stand at the BayArena opens its doors at the same time as the stadium with access restricted to match ticket holders. Once again there is the popular veterans get-together where famous faces from the club exchange their views and opinions. This time it is the three former pros Christian Schreier (59), Mark Lesniak (54) and Frank Saborowski (60). The current coach (including Union Berlin from 2006 to 2007) Schreier played 235 games for Bayer 04 between 1984 and 1991 with the attacking midfielder finding the back of the net 80 times. Lesniak started his professional career at the Black and Reds from 1988 to 1992 scoring 22 goals in 128 appearances – one of his best moments in the game was his winner in the 1-0 victory over Bayern at the Olympic Stadium in Munich in 1989. Sabrowski made 43 appearances for the Werkself between 1982 and 1984 and the former central defender later worked as assistant coach to Peter Neururer and Uwe Rapolder and is now a coach in the Bezirksliga.
Not long to go to the showdown. Anticipation ahead of the cup clash against Bayern is growing. And excitement too...
