
The draw was made by former Germany international Christoph Metzelder and the Germany U21 coach Stefan Kuntz.
"The main thing is to be at home," said striker Kevin Volland after the 4-1 win in the first round at Alemannia Aachen. That wish has come true. The Werkself will go into the DFB Cup clash at the BayArena with the backing of their fans plus the experience gained in the opening Bundesliga match of the season. In an entertaining Bundesliga encounter on matchday one, the teams coached by Peter Bosz and Steffen Baumgart were separated by just one goal in the 3-2 win for Bayer 04. Leon Bailey, Kevin Volland and Kai Havertz scored for Leverkusen. Bayer 04 sporting director Simon Rolfes: "A very challenging draw as the Bundesliga game against Paderborn proves. It's great that we’re at home. And, of course, we want to win the tie."
Bayer 04 fans can look forward to the rematch at the end of October. Ticket information to follow.


The Werkself conceded a goal at home for the first time since the beginning of January 67 minutes into the game against FSV Mainz 05 on Saturday. Jarell Quansah levelled late on for the final score of 1-1 to secure a point and avoid a first home defeat in six games. Bayer 04 were very critical of their performance after the game. The Werkself review.
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Rüdiger Vollborn has been at the club for 40 years, he holds the record number of Bundesliga appearances for the club (401) and is the only Bayer 04 player to have won both the UEFA Cup (1988) and the DFB Pokal (1993). And the Berliner stayed with the Werkself after ending his impressive playing career as he worked as a goalkeeping coach for the following nine years. Vollborn now works under the Bayer Cross as a fan liaison officer and club archivist. Since February 2021, the personalised Black and Red lexicon takes Werkself fans under the heading of 'Rudi recounts...' on a brief trip through the history of Bayer 04 every month…
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From special edition jerseys to fan banners, the home game against Mainz 05 was all about the many Bayer 04 fan clubs. Accordingly, a fitting tribute to the long-standing Werkself supporters was not to be missed during half-time in the Bundesliga match. Fernando Carro, CEO, honoured the up to 50-year anniversaries of six fan clubs in front of the coaches' benches at the BayArena.
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Werkself TV shows the highlights of Bayer 04's 1-1 draw against Mainz 05 on Matchday 24 of the 2025/26 Bundesliga season...