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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Bayer 04 face Hamburger SV for the first time since February 2018 in their rearranged Bundesliga Matchday 17 clash. After long years in the second division, the Red Shorts have gradually reestablished themselves in the top flight this season, thanks in particular to their strong home record and third-best tackle success rate in the league. There'll be a fierce battle in the air too, as three of the highest-scoring centre-backs in the Bundesliga could be on the pitch at the Volksparkstadion - two of them for Leverkusen. The Matchday News.
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Video games manufacturer Electronic Arts (EA), together with the Deutsche Fußball Liga (DFL), has announced the six nominees for the February 2026 Bundesliga Player of the Month award. Not one, but two Werkself players are on the list in Edmond Tapsoba and Alejandro Grimaldo. Supporters of the Black-and-Reds have from now until midnight on Sunday 8 March to vote!
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After the original fixture on 13 January was postponed due to weather-related structural risks to the Volksparkstadion's roof, Hamburger SV now host Bayer 04 Leverkusen this evening, Wednesday 4 March (kick-off 20:30 CET), in the rearranged Matchday 17 meeting. It's a second home game in three days for HSV - an update on the opponents.
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The German Football League (DFL) has announced the three candidates for Bundesliga ‘Rookie of the Month’ for February. Among the candidates is Werkself player Jarell Quansah. Fans of Bayer 04 can vote for their favourite on the Bundesliga app from now until Thursday, 5 March (23:59 CET).
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