Werkself review #DSCB04: 'It really hurts'

Summary: Positive start, negative end

The Werkself were on the front foot from the start and were rewarded from a set piece when Jonathan Tah turned the ball into the net from close range to make it 1-0 (17'). It was the first time Arminia have gone behind in this season's DFB Pokal campaign. However, the lead did not last long as Bielefeld's Marius Wörl equalised just three minutes later. The hosts then played with lots of confidence, the Black and Reds by contrast found it difficult to play their own game. The outcome: Maximilian Großer made it 2-1 for Arminia Bielefeld just before half-time. Bayer 04 also almost completely failed to pose a threat to the opposition goal in the second half. There was some hope in the closing stages with an attempt by Patrik Schick that hit the post (81’). After six minutes of added time, referee Harm Osmers ended the game and for Bayer 04 that was the end of the dream of another appearance in the DFB Pokal final. HERE is the match report.

Reaction: "Bielefeld deserve to be in the final"

Sporting managing director Simon Rolfes said after the game: "We are all disappointed. You have to be more committed in duels and show in one-on-ones that you have more quality. We should have defended better for the two goals. We did not dominate as a team and that is not enough in the end – regardless of which league you play in."

Xabi Alonso summed up the game at the post-match press conference as follows: "Congratulations to Bielefeld for the deserved win and the place in the final in Berlin. Of course, we are disappointed. We had great hopes today but we didn't play well. Almost nothing worked. We lacked quality and energy as a group. The consequence is a poor result and a poor game. We have to analyse that as soon as we can." The Spaniard added: "Defeats are an important part of development. The team and the club are fundamentally on the right path said today perhaps isn't a low point. Nevertheless, it really hurts."

And Robert Andrich was also self-critical in his assessment of the Pokal exit: "We have to be really honest with ourselves and say Bielefeld deserve to be in the final and we know that we've done a lot wrong. We didn't show our strengths. Bielefeld did it better than us at times. We didn't penetrate up front and we made mistakes at the back so you can't be surprised if that's not enough in the end."

The captain Lukas Hradecky also conceded: "We deserved to go out as we offered far too little in all areas. It was not a question of attitude as we knew that they were not to be underestimated. It's painful. There are now seven games left in the league so we definitely have to take a different approach. Anger and disappointment are emotions you can and must turn into good energy."

What the papers say: "Third division side with a better team"

The assessment in the Rheinische Post: "Arminia delivered passionate resistance against the highly favoured team from the Rhineland." The kicker reports: "The third division team produced a great performance and deserved to beat Bayer Leverkusen." The report in the Bild-Zeitung includes: "A real sensation! The third division side approached the big challenge bravely and with loads of confidence. That meant they not only competed with the Werkself but were also the better team over the 90 minutes."

Personnel: First DFB Pokal defeat for Alonso

For Alonso it was the first defeat as the coach of Bayer 04 in the DFB Pokal. The Spaniard had come out on top in the previous ten DFB Pokal ties – since the foundation of the Bundesliga that had only previously been achieved by Pep Guardiola and Louis van Gaal. The two former coaches at Bayern Munich also went out in their eleventh match in the competition.

Stats: Chances not taken

The match stats: The Werkself with 52% possession had 13 shots on goal with Arminia Bielefeld having eight attempts. Duels won by the Black and Reds was at 62%. Bayer 04 have lost in the DFB Pokal for the first time after ten wins in succession starting after the first round in the 2022/23 season – that was also against a third division club (SV 07 Elversberg).

Outlook: Away to Heidenheim

The Werkself now have another away fixture: Bayer 04 travel to FC Heidenheim for the game on Bundesliga Matchday 28 on Saturday, 5 April (kick-off: 15:30 CEST at the Voith Arena).