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








Werkself-TV shows the highlights of the Bayer 04 women's 3-2 win against RB Leipzig on the 12th matchday of the Google Pixel Frauen-Bundesliga 2025/26.
Show more
For the second time in three weeks, Bayer 04 have to face a team that has just changed coach. The Werkself’s overall record against Augsburg and the Bavarians’ poor season so far both point towards a Leverkusen win, but head coach Kasper Hjulmand is still aware of the threat going into Saturday’s Bundesliga encounter (kick-off: 15:30 CET). Here’s all you need to know ahead of the Matchday 13 fixture at the WWK Arena.
Show more
The groups for the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico have been finalised. At the draw in the USA capital Washington D.C., which was hosted by German top model Heidi Klum and others, 48 teams were drawn for the first time. The groups at a glance.
Show more
As part of the joint commitment of Bayer 04 and the City of Leverkusen to volunteering, the annual Volunteer Day took place in the 19nullvier Lounge at the BayArena. Fernando Carro, Bayer 04 CEO, Stefan Hebbel, Mayor of the City of Leverkusen, and club representative Stefan Kießling praised the commitment of the 200 or so volunteers from the region in attendance and thanked them for their impressive efforts.
Show more