Semi-final, 09.06.2020: FC Saarbrücken v Bayer 04 0-3 (0-2)
The semi-final draw took the Werkself to Völklingen in Saarland, where FC Saarbrücken, whose Ludwigspark Stadium is undergoing reconstruction, had overcome clear favourites in previous rounds. Second division outfits Jahn Regensburg and Karlsruher SC as well as two Bundesliga teams from the Rhineland, Fortuna Düsseldorf and FC Köln, saw their cup ambitions disappear under the pale floodlights at the Hermann Neuberger Stadium. Saarbrücken were champions of the cancelled Regional League season and thereby promoted to the third division but there were concerns that the Werkself could underestimate their opponents in the first DFB Cup tie played behind closed doors. But not Peter Bosz: “It’s all about getting to the final. All of us know what’s at stake!”
Bayer 04 approached the game in a professional frame of mind: serious, focussed, confident on the ball and determined to score. Moussa Diaby (11’) and Lucas Alario (19’) silenced the hosts with goals early on and Karim Bellarabi sealed victory on the hour mark with a third goal.
“Every player dreams of playing in the final of a competition. We’re proud and over the moon,” said Kerem Demirbay, who provided all three assists. At the same time, Fernando Carro, with the players singing the traditional ‘Berlin, Berlin, we’re off to Berlin!’, was already looking forward to 4 July just like Peter Bosz. “It’s a great win and the chance of a title,” said the chairman of the board and the Werkself coach declared: “You play to win in a final. That will be the next mission.”
Match stats:
FC Saarbrücken: Batz – Jänicke (Froese 46’), Schorch (Bulic 87’), Zeitz, Uaferra, Barylla – Perdedaj (Breitenbach 68’), Zellner, Golley, Müller (Mendler 68’) – Jacob (Eisele 78’)
Bayer 04: Hradecky – Weiser, Tapsoba (Tah 46’), S. Bender (Dragovic 62’), Wendell – Aránguiz (Palacios 70’), Demirbay – Wirtz (Bellarabi 46’), Paulinho, Diaby (Volland 62’) – Alario
Goals: 0-1 Diaby (11’), 0-2 Alario (19’), 0-3 Bellarabi (58’)
Referee: Guido Winkmann (Kerken)
Booked: Tapsoba
Attendance: Played behind closed doors
In mid-August, the Werkself will set off on a four-day trip to England to play their final two friendly matches of the 2026/27 pre-season against Premier League clubs Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United. The match in Nottingham against the Tricky Trees is on Wednesday 12 August at 20:45 CEST (19:45 BST) at the City Ground. The game against the Magpies in Newcastle is on Saturday 15 August at 16:00 CEST (15:00 BST) at the atmospheric St James’ Park. Details on ticket sales for both matches.
Show more
Black and Red talent development at the highest level – even off the pitch: Apprentices Jule Suermann, Leandra Bellia and Julia Niederheide have successfully completed their two- or three-year apprenticeships at the club. Bayer 04 honoured the trio at the BayArena on Tuesday.
Show more
Following the summer break, most of the players are back in Leverkusen. While two Bayer 04 first-team players are still in action at the World Cup, the players present officially kicked off the new season with fitness assessments. At the Werkstatt, the Bayer 04 rehabilitation and training centre, Robert Andrich, Edmond Tapsoba and the rest of the squad worked up quite a sweat in the sweltering summer heat. New signings Afonso Moreira and Kennet Eichhorn also successfully completed the day’s sessions alongside their new team-mates.
Show more
The Werkself return tomorrow, Tuesday 14 July (from 11:00 CEST at the BayArena; live stream on bayer04.de, the Bayer 04 app and YouTube), with new head coach Carles Martínez leading his first training session as part of the Bayer 04 set-up. His coaching team comprises a mix of new and long-standing colleagues.
Show more
The FIFA World Cup 2026 in the USA, Canada and Mexico is underway. A total of eight Leverkusen players are taking part in the 23rd World Cup, with 48 teams in the tournament for the first time. Bayer04.de brings you all the latest from Werkself players at the World Cup.
Show more
