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
A simple approach to sport with games, fun and a highlight at the end: Bayer 04 organised a very special training session for 40 participants aged between six and 27 in cooperation with the Football Association of the Middle Rhine (FVM). At the day of action for women and girls with disabilities at the Kurtekotten Performance Centre, many of the participants gained their first experience of football.
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On Saturday, 28 March, the lights will go out again at the BayArena from 20:30 pm to 21:30. As in previous years, Bayer 04 once again take part in the WWF Earth Hour campaign under the motto "We're switching off" as the club wants to set a collective example for more climate and environmental protection together with people, cities and companies around the world.
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Less than a year ago, Kerim Alajbegovic moved from the Bayer 04 U19s to Austrian top-flight club FC Red Bull Salzburg. The forward’s development since then has been impressive. In 36 matches, including in the UEFA Europa League, the 18-year-old has scored 14 goals. In the summer, Alajbegovic, now a Bosnia international, will return to Leverkusen - and thus not only achieve the next milestone still early in his career, but also enrich the Werkself squad with his footballing versatility and determination.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have extended the contract with forward Nathan Tella ahead of schedule. The versatile 26-year-old, who can be deployed as a right winger, false nine or left winger, has penned a new contract to 30 June 2031. Tella joined the Werkself from Championship club Southampton in 2023. His previous contract ran to the summer of 2028.
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Nathan Tella has extended his contract with Bayer 04 to 2031. In an interview with Werkself TV, the 26-year-old talks about fulfilling his dreams, his positive outlook on life and his goals for the future. He answers the questions in English - all except the last one, which he addresses directly to the fans...
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