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
After a run of seven games unbeaten in all competitions, the Werkself suffered a 1-0 defeat at FC Union Berlin despite their best efforts. Captain Robert Andrich, who took responsibility for the goal, said after the match: "Now we have to focus on not losing our heads even in difficult situations. That has always made us strong in the past." The Werkself review.
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Sandwiched between their UEFA Champions League knockout play-off tie against Olympiacos, Bayer 04 return to Bundesliga action on Saturday with a trip to Union Berlin (kick-off: 15:30 CET). It’s a fixture of contrasting styles, with Leverkusen preferring to control the play while Union look to remain compact and counter. The Berliners are therefore suited to facing top teams, but they have only ever managed to win one of 16 meetings with the Werkself, who are looking for a fifth clean sheet of 2026 but will need to beware the home side’s threat from set pieces. Here’s all you need to know ahead of the game in our matchday news.
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After six wins in seven games, the Werkself will be looking to continue their winning run in the capital at FC Union Berlin. Coach Kasper Hjulmand spoke ahead of the match on Saturday, 21 February (kick-off: 15:30 CET) about defenders, the short preparation time and the condition of the pitch at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei.
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