Quarter-final, 04.03.2020: Bayer 04 v FC Union Berlin 3-1 (0-1)
The quarter-final tie against Union Berlin at the BayArena was not plain sailing for the Werkself. The Berliners deservedly took the lead with a headed-goal scored by Marcus Ingvartsen (39’) and maintained that advantage into the half-time break as they mostly kept the hosts at arm’s length. Until the match suddenly turned round after 70 minutes for two reasons: Peter Bosz brought Karim Bellarabi on and the visitors lost Christopher Lenz when he was shown a second yellow card. The wizard on the wing, who was the killjoy for Union two weeks before when Bayer 04 won 3-2 in the Bundesliga at the Alte Försterei, took full advantage of the extra man when he converted a pass from Kai Havertz with a low shot into the back of the net.
That was followed by wave after wave of attacks on the Union defence that shook and finally gave way in the closing stages of the game: Charles Aránguiz rose from a ruck of players on the penalty spot from a corner and the 1.71 metre tall Chilean headed the Werkself into the lead at 2-1 on 86 minutes. Moussa Diaby sealed the victory with a third goal in added time from a counter attack. Karim Bellarabi succinctly summed up the game after the final whistle : “We weren’t in the game in the first half. But we stuck at it and then really got going. Now we’re in the semi-finals and that’s a great achievement.” Bayer 04 were in the last four of the domestic cup competition for the ninth time in the club’s history.
Match stats:
Bayer 04: Hradecky – Tah (Diaby 46’), S. Bender, Tapsoba – Amiri (Weiser 46’), Aránguiz, Demirbay, Sinkgraven – Havertz, Alario, Bailey (Bellarabi 69’)
Union Berlin: Gikiewicz – Friedrich, K. Schlotterbeck, Parensen – Ryerson, Andrich, Prömel (Kroos 82’), Lenz – Bülter (Trimmel 73’), Ujah (Andersson 70’), Ingvartsen
Goals: 0-1 Ingvartsen (39’), 1-1 Bellarabi (72’), 2-1 Aránguiz (86’), 3-1 Diaby (90+1’)
Referee: Benjamin Cortus (Röthenbach an der Pegnitz)
Booked: Tah, Aránguiz, Diaby – Parensen, Lenz
Sent-off: Lenz (71’)
Attendance: 18,453
Bosnia U19 international Kerim Alajbegovic is moving from Bayer 04 Leverkusen's youth set-up to Red Bull Salzburg. The talented attacking midfielder has signed a long-term contract with the Austrian club. At the same time, the works club secured a buy-back option for the 17-year-old, who was one of the mainstays of the Leverkusen U19s.
Show moreThe Werkself are away to Premier League club Chelsea in the final pre-season friendly. The game against the current holders of the UEFA Conference League is on Friday, 8 August at Stamford Bridge with the kick-off at 20:00 CEST. Read on for information on ticket sales.
Show moreThe Werkself are away to Dutch top-flight club Fortuna Sittard in the third pre-season friendly. The match is on Friday, 1 August at the Fortuna Sittard stadium with the kick-off at 19:00 CEST. Read on for information on ticket sales.
Show moreThe Werkself are away to VfL Bochum in the second pre-season friendly. The match is on Sunday, 27 July at the Vonovia Ruhrstadion with the kick-off at 18:00 CEST. Read on for the latest information on ticket sales.
Show more