
Bayer 04 are in the last eight of Germany's domestic cup competition for the sixteenth time in the club's history. The Werkself are just two steps away from a big target, two steps away from a thrilling final in the capital. That is what Heiko Herrlich and his players are aiming for. Kevin Volland and captain Lars Bender spoke for the whole team when they said: "It would be a dream come true to get to the final."
Bayer 04 are two wins away from Berlin and the next hurdle promises to be an exciting encounter: The tie against Werder Bremen at the BayArena on Tuesday 6 February kicks off at 20.45 CET. This all-or-nothing game against the Green and Whites is anything but a foregone conclusion. Werder are looking to move up to mid-table in the Bundesliga and they lost 1-0 away to the Werkself in December (goalscorer Lucas Alario celebrates above). However, it is clear Bremen under new coach Florian Kohfeldt have grown enormously in strength and confidence, which they demonstrated on the penultimate Bundesliga matchday when they gave Bayern Munich a run for their money at the Allianz Arena up to the final stages of the game that they ended up losing 4-2.
Bayer 04 are obviously looking for the fans to help get them through to the semi-finals. Leverkusen did lose out at the quarter-final stage of the DFB Cup two years ago at home to Bremen. The match at the BayArena ended in a 3-1 defeat. Chicharito put the Black and Reds 1-0 up from the penalty spot before Garcia, Pizarro and Grillitsch turned the game round for the visitors. "We were too ponderous after taking the lead," said sporting director Rudi Völler back then.
The Werkself will be determined not to repeat that performance this time round. So the maxim for Tuesday 6 February is: Full speed ahead for the semi-finals, all together for the penultimate match on the the road to Berlin.
Tickets for the Bremen Cup tie are available
- online at the ticket webshop
- by phone on 0049 (0)214 5000 1904
- in person at the Service Counter OST (BayArena, Bismarckstraße 122-124) and at the Bayer 04 shops in Leverkusen City, Bergisch Gladbach and Solingen


A special visit to the BayArena: 222 members from volunteer fire brigades in Leverkusen, the Rheinisch-Bergisch district and the Oberbergisch district watched the Werkself’s 2–0 home win over Slovenian champions NK Celje live in the stadium. Bayer 04 had invited them to the 2026/27 Europa League opener as a thank-you for their tremendous dedication. They watched the match together in Block F4.
Show more
The Bayer 04 U19s have extended their winning run with a fifth consecutive victory on Matchday 5 of the DFB Youth League’s preliminary round. Coach Patrick Greveraars’ side secured a 3–2 (2–1) win in their match against second-placed FC Viktoria Köln, with Burak Kir and Nebe Domnic scoring for the hosts in the first half before captain Ben Hawighorst found the net after the break.
Show more
Bayer 04 will have to manage without defender Guéla Doué for the time being. The Ivory Coast international sustained a muscle injury to his right calf during the final Werkself training session yesterday ahead of the Europa League clash with Slovenian champions NK Celje.
Show more
For the first time since reaching the final against AS Roma (2–2, first leg 2–0) in May 2024, Bayer 04 are playing another home match in the UEFA Europa League – and they will be wearing their new European kit. On Wednesday 16 September (kick-off: 21:00 CEST), the BayArena will welcome Slovenian champions NK Celje, who appointed a new coach this week following a mixed start to the season. Under the slogan “40 Years Across Europe. Still Creating History.”, the Black and Reds now aim to add the next chapter to their European history, which has seen so much success in recent years. Bayer 04 fans can follow the match on free-to-air TV on RTL, as well as on Sky and Werkself Radio. The matchday news.
Show more
European football returns to the BayArena: Bayer 04 host Slovenian champions NK Celje on matchday 1 in the group stage of the 2026/27 UEFA Europa League. Ahead of the match on Wednesday 16 September (kick-off: 21:00 CEST), head coach Carles Martínez and midfielder Aleix Garcia spoke at the pre-match press conference. The focus was primarily on the great anticipation surrounding the competition and the clear objectives for it – and, given the circumstances, on a last-minute change to the opposition line-up.
Show more