Back
11.01.2021DFB-Pokal

Bosz ahead of Frankfurt clash: DFB Cup ‘very important to us’

The first double fixture week for the Werkself in 2021 continues on Tuesday 12 January in the DFB Cup. The second round tie against Eintracht Frankfurt at the BayArena kicks off at 20.45 CET. Head coach Peter Bosz spells out the importance of the cup competition to Bayer 04 ahead of the knockout match.
20210111_JS_PK_DFB_OPB.jpg

Just nine days separate the 2-1 defeat in Frankfurt in the first Bundesliga fixture in the New Year and the DFB Cup clash with Eintracht Frankfurt, which was moved from the end of December to 12 January at the request of Bayer 04. “The short period of time between the two is obviously unusual,” said Peter Bosz at the pre-match press conference on Monday and then he moved onto his analysis of the opponents. The 56-year-old added: “We’re up against a very good opponent. Of course, I don’t know what Adi Hütter (Eintracht Frankfurt, ed.) is intending to do but I can imagine they will try to play the same way they did two weeks ago – they did very well. But even more important is the way we play.”

In terms of their own game, Bosz sees a need for improvement for his team “in using the pitch” compared with the Bundesliga defeat at Eintracht. “That’s why we found it so difficult to play good football. We want to do better now,” said the head coach.

No Wirtz again – no other absentees

Bosz has the same players available for the second round tie as in the 1-1 draw against Werder Bremen on Saturday. “Florian Wirtz will be rested again tomorrow,” declared the Dutchman. The experienced Lars Bender, who made a 30-minute appearance against Werder Bremen following his recent injury, is again available. So there are no changes to the squad compared with the Bremen game.

RW Essen in the Round of 16

For Bayer 04, the cup competition is “very important. The route is short. We saw what it’s like to be in the final last year. And when you play in a final then you also want and have to win it. And that’s what we want to do this time,” said Bosz.

A win against Eintracht Frankfurt would see the Werkself play at Regional League Rot-Weiss Essen in the Round of 16 in the DFB Cup. “To be honest: I only found out who our next opponents will be if we beat Frankfurt two days ago,” Bosz said. “But there’s no sense thinking about the next opponent if you don’t go through. So our full focus is on Eintracht Frankfurt first.”

Match info:
Broadcaster: Sky and Werks11 Radio
Referee: The match officials will be announced on the day of the game

Related News

Women lose in Wolfsburg after a stunning goal by a former player | 20th matchday
Werkself-TV - 15.03.2026

Women: TV-highlights of 1-2 loss at VfL Wolfsburg

Werkself-TV shows the highlights of the Bayer 04 women's 1-2 loss at VfL Wolfsburg on the 20th matchday of the Google Pixel Frauen-Bundesliga 2025/26.

Show more
Besprechung im Training
Women - 15.03.2026

'Match them as equals when it's 11 vs. 11': Women out for revenge at Wolfsburg for reverse fixture defeat

The Bundesliga home game against VfL Wolfsburg in the first half of the season was one of those classic ‘days to forget’ for Bayer 04 Women. It started with goalkeeper Charlotte Voll being shown a red card in the first minute of the game, and following a further sending-off, coach Roberto Pätzold's 9-women side ended up losing 5-1 to last season's runners-up. At 18.30 CET on Sunday, they'll have the chance to exact revenge at the AOK Stadium - and pick up valuable points in the race for third place.

Show more
Patrik Schick against Konrad Laimer
Bundesliga - 15.03.2026

Werkself Review #B04FCB: 'Played with structure, passion and power'

After full time in the 1-1 draw against FC Bayern Munich, the Bayer 04 fans first had to catch their breath. Firstly because of their usual loud support, and secondly because of the great drama they'd witnessed on the pitch: three disallowed goals, two red cards and a Werkself side who "again produced a very good performance against strong opponents", as head coach Kasper Hjulmand described. The Dane was particularly enthused by the performance of young Montrell Culbreath, while Patrik Schick got to enjoy his 200th appearance under the Cross. The Werkself Review unpacks the action.

Show more
Werkself miss out on victory in a thrilling match | 26th matchday
Werkself-TV - 14.03.2026

TV highlights of 1-1 draw against FC Bayern

Werkself TV shows the highlights of Bayer 04's 1-1 draw against FC Bayern Munich on Matchday 26 of the 2025/26 Bundesliga season...

Show more
Montrell Cubreath gegen Konrad Laimer
Bundesliga - 14.03.2026

Werkself held to 1-1 draw by Bayern in eventful encounter

Bayer 04 were held to a 1-1 draw at home by Bayern Munich in an eventful Matchday 26 fixture in the Bundesliga. Aleix Garcia had given the Werkself the lead inside six minutes, but Bayern levelled in the second half through Luis Diaz, despite Nicolas Jackson having been send off before the break. Diaz was then dismissed himself as Leverkusen pushed for a winner, which failed to materialise as Jonas Hofmann saw a late goal ruled out.

Show more