Bayer 04 and FC Köln have previously met three times in the DFB Pokal with the Werkself winning the last two ties. There was a 3-1 win in the semi-finals in 2001/02 and a 2-0 victory in the third round in 1991/92. The other meeting in the second round in 1982/83 was won by FC Köln (3-1).
The team from Cologne are back in the quarter-finals this season for the first time since 2009/10. For the Werkself it is the fourth time in the last eight since 2017/18. Bayer 04 have won all quarter-final ties since then (2017/18, 2019/20 and 2023/24). Winning a Pokal quarter-final for the fourth time in succession would be a record for Bayer 04. FC Köln came out winners in twelve of their last 16 quarter-final ties.
The Werkself have won nine Pokal ties in succession across seasons – equalling the club record (from August 1992 to September 1993). Starting with the semi-final last season, the Werkself have played five Pokal games in succession without conceding. That is the second longest run in the club's history. There was a run of seven games without conceding across seasons in the run-up to winning the DFB Pokal in 1993.
The Werkself under Xabi Alonso have previously played 04 Pokal games against second tier teams with all those games ending in victory. The Spaniard is also still unbeaten as a coach in the DFB Pokal. As is FC Köln coach Gerhard Struber who took over the helm in Cologne at the start of the season.
The Werkself beat Regional League FC Carl Zeiss Jena 1-0 in the first round, then overcame second division SV 07 Elversberg 3-0 in the second round, and finally beat record Pokal winners Bayern Munich 1-0 at the Allianz Arena in the Round of 16.
FC Köln’s path to the quarter-finals: A 3-2 away win in the first round at SV Sandhausen was followed by a 3-0 home victory in the second round against newly promoted Bundesliga side Holstein Kiel. FC Köln came through the Round of 16 with a 2-1 win in extra time against second division rivals Hertha Berlin.
FC Köln went top of Bundesliga 2 above Hamburg SV last weekend thanks to a 2-1 win away to Eintracht Braunschweig. The team from Cologne, relegated from the top-flight last season, are now in top spot on 37 points after a very positive run following a mixed start to the season. The last ten league games have included eight wins and a draw. Their strengths particularly include a solid defence: FC Köln have the second best defence in the league with 25 goals conceded. Further information on today's opposition can be found in our lowdown on the next opponents.
Anyone wanting to discover the latest information ahead of kick-off can take a look at the new Werkself Live. The matchday magazine, which includes key facts and stats on the match, is available at the BayArena. Alternatively it is available free online. HERE is the e-paper.
The German Football Association (DFB) have put Frank Willenborg in charge of today's game. The 45-year-old referee has previously officiated ten games involving the Werkself (six wins, two draws and two defeats). Willenborg’s assistants today are Sascha Thielert and Markus Schüller with Robert Schröder in action as the VAR.
As in last Sunday's Bundesliga home game for the Werkself against TSG Hoffenheim (3-1), there is the possibility in today's DFB Pokal tie that the referee will make use of the stadium PA. Referees can, in certain situations, explain their decisions on the pitch over the PA system. In the game against Hoffenheim, referee Dr Robin Braun explained the decision to overturn a penalty due to a player being offside in the build-up via the stadium PA.
he DFB Pokal tie will be broadcast live on ARD as well as on Sky. As ever, supporters unable to be at the match can follow the game on Werkself Radio. The audio broadcast starts 30 minutes before kick-off with commentary provided by Niko Hartmann and Cedric Pick. In addition, the live text update service will keep fans up-to-date. Both Werkself Radio and the live text update service are available at bayer04.de and on the Bayer 04 app.
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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