The Werkself are in the semi-finals of the DFB Pokal for the tenth time. They've progressed to the final in Berlin's Olympiastadion four times (1993, 2002, 2009, 2020). In the most recent semi-final in 2020, Leverkusen won 3-0 at 1. FC Saarbrücken - who lost 2-0 to 1. FC Kaiserslautern in the other semi-final yesterday evening.
Meanwhile, Bayer 04 have won all of their last six competitive matches against Fortuna Düsseldorf - each of which were in the Bundesliga (17:5 goals). The Werkself's last competitive defeat against F95 was a 1-0 loss in Leverkusen in August 1996.
One of Bayer 04's trump cards in the Pokal has been their finishing: the Werkself have scored in no less than 30 consecutive cup matches - a club record and the longest current run in the competition. In each the four Pokal matches so far this season, Leverkusen have scored at least three goals, making a total of 19 (a club record for a cup season and matching the 1988/89 record).
Fortuna Düsseldorf rounded off a very impressive March with a 3-1 win at Kaiserslautern and picked up ten out of a possible twelve points. "It was a mature performance from my team," said coach Daniel Thioune, praising his team after the win at the Betzenberg. And once again it was striker Christos Tzolis who, with his brace, was the man of the match for Fortuna. The Greek first equalised (74') and then capped it off with his second goal (82') after Shinta Appelkamp put 95 ahead (76'). Fortuna had scored three goals in the space of eight minutes, proving their comeback qualities not for the first time this season. Turning games around in the closing stages - something not only the Werkself can do. Find out more about today's opponents in our detailed profile.
The German Football Association (DFB) has appointed Christian Dingert as the referee for tonight's game. The 43-year-old has taken charge of 16 competitive matches involving the Werkself to date, with eight wins, three draws and five defeats from a Black & Red perspective. Dingert will be assisted on the touchlines by Benedikt Kempkes and Nikolai Kimmeyer, with Sören Storks in action as the VAR.
Due to roadworks in Robert-Blum-Straße / Im Eisholz, there may be delays in travelling to and from the event. Traffic in Robert-Blum-Straße will be diverted past the roadworks by means of a mobile traffic light system. Montessoriweg will be converted into a one-way street. We ask you to arrive at the BayArena in good time and recommend using public transport, shuttle buses and bicycles. The roadworks are planned until 5 April.
Anyone wanting to discover the latest information ahead of the cup tie should definitely take a look at the new Werkself Live. The matchday programme, which includes key facts and stats on the match, will be available at the BayArena. Alternatively it's available free online.
As usual, Werkself Radio is available for anybody unable to be at tonight's game. The audio broadcast begins 30 minutes before kick-off with commentary provided by Niko Hartmann and Cedric Pick. In addition, the live text update service will keep you up-to-date to ensure you don't miss any of the key match action. Both Werkself Radio and the live text update service are available at bayer04.de and on the Bayer 04 app.
Exciting experiences and exclusive insights into the Werkself and the BayArena awaited the young footballers from the BA04 Football Academy Guangzhou in China during their visit to the Rhineland this week. As well as taking part in a joint training session with the Bayer 04 Football Academy, the youngsters marvelled at the Bundesliga club’s stadium during a guided tour. The highlight of the visit was a private press conference with former Bayer 04 striker Stefan Kießling, during which he shared tips from his own career with the young players. On Saturday afternoon, 10 October, the group will round off their visit by supporting the Werkself in the away match in Mainz.
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Fun, games and promising talent: At the fourth Bayer 04 Junior Girls’ Talent Day at the Kurtekotten training centre, 90 football-mad girls had the chance to put themselves forward for the Werkself youth teams. During a 90-minute training session, children born between 2011 and 2019 had the chance to demonstrate their skills.
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Despite the international break, numerous Werkself fans turned up at the BayArena on Saturday 3 October. The occasion: Bayer 04, together with Bayer Vital and main sponsor BarmeniaGothaer, organised a Health Day. In the stadium’s Premium Lounge, guests listened to fascinating talks on the subject of cancer, featuring, amongst others, Bayer 04 record appearance holder Rüdiger Vollborn and former Werkself player Hans Sarpei. Afterwards, young and old alike enjoyed interactive stations such as a grip strength test and eye pupil test.
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In issue #56 of Werkself Magazine, Afonso Moreira offers some interesting insights into his home country, Portugal, as part of the ‘Sag mal’ (Tell me) feature. Among other things, the 21-year-old talks about his favourite places in the country on the Iberian Peninsula, the local cuisine and music, as well as heroes and historical figures beyond the world of football. ‘Sag mal’ with Afonso Moreira!
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