#B04FCSP: match facts
The last time the Werkself hosted FC St. Pauli in the DFB Pokal was in 1976 at what was then the Ulrich Haberland Stadium. As on that day (3-1 a.e.t.), Bayer 04 have also won the last four matches at home against the Kiezkicker and not lost to the Hamburg club in eleven games. Leverkusen's DFB Pokal record reads just as well: The Black and Reds have reached the quarter-finals for the third time in a row, which has meant a semi-final appearance in the past two years.
The Werkself's all-round strong attack has impressed again and again: Schick, Kießling and Co. have scored in each of the last 40 cup matches - a club record. The Kiezkicker net should be bulging again tonight. However, they have already knocked two Bundesliga teams out of the competition on their way to the quarter-finals...
focus on the Kiezkicker
...because in the second round, St. Pauli emerged victorious in a dramatic penalty shoot-out against TSG Hoffenheim before having to face Borussia Mönchengladbach away in the round of 16. Even though the Hamburg team are 17th in the Bundesliga after six games without a win and are already four points off the play-off spot, their performances in the Pokal show that they are not only a fighting team, but also a high-quality side. In addition to Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, coach Alexander Blessin's team also caused problems for the Werkself in the Bundesliga game at the end of September last year (2-1). However, the Kiezkicker attack’s poor conversion of chances has denied captain Jackson Irvine's team their deserved reward on several occasions. Find out which new signing may solve this problem and what the Werkself still need to watch out for against this DFB Pokal opponent in our lowdown on the next opponents.
Werkself Live
You want to go to the Pokal tie as an expert? Then take a look at the new Werkself Live. The matchday flyer, which provides key facts and figures about the game in compact form, is available at the BayArena. Alternatively, the free version is also available digitally. This time on the XXL poster: Janis Blaswich. HERE is the online flyer.
