Matchday news #SGAB04: Season’s opener at amateur club in Pokal

Talcid remain Pokal partner

Bayer’s Talcid will again be the sleeve sponsor for Bayer 04 in the DFB Pokal this season, starting in Friday’s first round. With the historic chameleon logo of the heartburn remedy on their chests, the Werkself won the cup for the first time in 1993. Further information on the extension of the partnership with Talcid can be found HERE.

#SGAB04: Match facts

Leverkusen have never before faced Großaspach in a competitive fixture, but the Werkself have won six of their last seven cup games against first-time opponents. Bayer 04 have also lost only one of their 24 Pokal fixtures against teams from the fourth tier. Those are numbers that bode well for the continuation of the competition record that has seen the 2024 winners score in each of their last 37 DFB Pokal matches.

The game is also the first real test for Ten Hag in charge, as well as his debut in the DFB Pokal. The Dutchman boasts cup success abroad, reaching the final of the FA Cup with Manchester United in both his last two seasons there, lifting the trophy in 2024. “The cup has always excited me. It’s a special competition because one game decides everything,” Ten Hag said at his pre-match press conference on Thursday.

Focus on Großaspach

Sonnenhof have competed in the DFB Pokal twice before, with the self-styled ‘village club’ going out in the first round both times. The champions of the fifth-tier Oberliga Baden-Württemberg are in good form, though, following that success by also lifting the regional cup to ensure qualification to the national competition. They have now started this campaign in the Regionalliga with two wins by an aggregate score of 10-2.

For coach Pascal Reinhardt, it’s all about consistency. He’s managed to keep his squad together following promotion, with just three new signings. It means the approach remains the same as 2024/25’s excellent year. “We’ve got tough work ethic off the ball and a winner’s mentality in the team,” the 33-year-old said.

He has Fabian Eisele up front, who netted 36 goals in 34 games last season. The striker previously faced the Werkself with Saarbrücken five years ago, losing 3-0 in the semi-finals. Find out more about Großaspach in our opposition profile.

2,500 travelling fans

Around a quarter of the 10,000-capacity WIRmachenDRUCK Arena will be occupied by Bayer 04 fans for the first competitive game of the season. Travelling fans can find out more HERE.

Bacher in charge

The German FA (DFB) have appointed Michael Bacher to oversee Friday’s game. It’s his first fixture involving Leverkusen. The 34-year-old has Felix Grund and Luca Schlosser as his assistants, with Martin Wilke as fourth official. There is no VAR in the DFB Pokal until the round of 16.