The two teams in the final have been confirmed for nearly weeks. The identity of the match officials for the 77th DFB Cup final was revealed on Saturday morning: The German Football Association have opted for Tobias Welz, one of the most experienced referees. The man from Wiesbaden is assisted by Rafael Foltyn and Martin Thomsen on the touchlines. Patrick Ittrich is the fourth official and the video assistant is Felix Zwayer.
As usual, Germany’s domestic cup final – to be broadcast in 193 countries –is available free-to-air on ARD. It is also on pay TV broadcaster Sky. Fans of the Black and Reds can listen to commentary on Werkself Radio and follow the match via live text commentary.
The big black and red live show for the final! From 19.04 CET, Bayer 04 will again present the ‘19:04 – The Show for the #FinaLEV’ on Facebook and YouTube from the Schwadbud. Today’s guest will be the Leverkusen old hand Peter Hermann, assistant coach for the DFB Cup final win in 1993. René Adler, goalkeeper in the last final involving the Werkself in 2009, will also join in and honorary captain Stefan Kießling will provide updates from Berlin. There will also be other surprises during the show – get ready and tune in!
“Bring the cup back to LEV – make history”: These emotional words are to be seen in the stands at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin to the left and right of the Marathon Gate. That is where the Werkself fans would have been seated. To provide support for the team, the seats in that area will be covered with black and red T-shirts – so the “North Stand” will be in Berlin. This also makes it clear: The whole club is longing for the second DFB Cup win in the club’s history.
The DFB official match magazine provides a review of the season and gives fans, who unfortunately have to watch the game at home on TV, all the information required on the final and the two finalists. This includes, from a black and red perspective, the DFB youth coach Christian Wück discussing the Leverkusen youngster Florian Wirtz, who could be the youngest-ever player in the history of the DFB Cup final. And Michael Ballack, who played for both clubs, reveals who he believes should lift the trophy. Click HERE for the online edition of the DFB match magazine.
This news will interest anyone backing the team from Leverkusen: The special edition #B04RLIN Werkself Magazine is out! We look back with black and red contemporaries such as Andreas Thom and René Adler at the three previous final appearances of Bayer 04. Plus: in-depth interviews with sporting director Simon Rolfes and cup specialist Lukas Hradecky. Click HERE for the online version, print copies have been posted out to Club members.
The traditional ecumenical service held on the day of the DFB Cup final has a new format this year due to the coronavirus pandemic. Instead of a service at the Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedächtniskirche in Berlin, the representatives of the Christian churches plus DFB president Fritz Keller have produced a 13-minute video message of devotion for the football fans.
Today sees Bayer 04 go head-to-head with their next direct rivals in the race for Champions League qualification (kick-off 15:30 CEST). Opponents Stuttgart are currently fifth in the table, level on points with the Werkself but one place below them due to a three-goal inferior goal difference. The Black and Reds' record at Bad Cannstatt tells a clearer story: they've not lost at VfB for over 16 years. One important factor in securing what would be three crucial points away from home is Leverkusen's strength on the counter-attack. Whilst Stuttgart are also extremely dangerous going forward, they will be without their captain. Today’s matchday news.
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Another showdown in the race for the Champions League places takes place in Swabia: on Saturday 9 May (kick-off 15:30 CEST), the Werkself visit VfB Stuttgart, who are only behind on goal difference. In his pre-match press conference, head coach Kasper Hjulmand spoke about confidence, excitement and mentality.
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Reinforcement in attack: Bayer 04 Leverkusen have secured the transfer of striker Maja Sternad from Bundesliga rivals SV Werder Bremen. The 22-year-old has signed a contract until 30 June 2028.
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It's a thrilling situation: as the season draws to a close, Stuttgart and Bayer 04 are heading into the home stretch almost neck and neck. After 32 games, with 17 wins, seven draws and eight defeats each, both teams are on 58 points. Even in terms of goals scored, VfB and the Werkself are level on 66. The Black and Reds have conceded just three fewer goals (43) than their rivals (46), which is why they sit one place behind fourth-placed Leverkusen. This Saturday, 9 May (kick-off: 15.30 CEST), the two teams go head to head at the MHP Arena in Stuttgart. The lowdown on our next opponents.
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