Back
10.08.2019DFB-Pokal

Werkself through to round two with 4-1 win

Bayer 04 kick off the 2019/20 season with a win: The Werkself beat Regional League side Alemannia Aachen 4-1 in the first round of the DFB Cup. An own goal from the Aachen captain Peter Hackenberg (19') put Leverkusen on track in front of a sell-out crowd at the Tivoli and Kevin Volland doubled the lead before the break (39'). The hosts pulled a goal back through Stipe Batarilo (56') before Leon Bailey (72') and Kai Havertz (88') sealed the victory.
crop_20190810_AACB04_KP2A9480.jpg

Peter Bosz included two new signings in the first game of the new campaign: Kerem Demirbay and Nadiem Amiri, both signed from Hoffenheim, were in the starting line-up. Rambo Özcan replaced Lukas Hradecky due to illness and the Werkself were also unable to call on Joel Pohjanpalo, Lars Bender, Mitchell Weiser and Tin Jedvaj for the cup tie in Aachen. The Bayer 04 head coach opted for a 3-4-3 formation with Kai Havertz and Amiri alongside captain Kevin Volland up front. Karim Bellarabi and Wendell played on the wings. The Leverkusen bench had eight outfield players plus a keeper – the DFB Cup allows all teams to have more substitutes than is the case in the league.

Tough approach from Aachen

The Tivoli was sold out and there was a nerve tingling cup atmosphere in the air. The hosts made a bold start and tried to disrupt the Leverkusen game with aggression. Two long-range efforts from striker David Bors – that both clearly missed the target – demonstrated the confidence of the Alemannia team (2'/10'). The Werkself endeavoured to be accurate but again and again were disrupted by tough tackling from an Aachen team taking an uncompromising approach to the match. The first notable move by Bayer 04 was made by Kai Havertz who shot from the edge of the box but his strike went wide of the target (16').

It was Aachen who provided the opening goal and the first strike for Leverkusen in the new season: Wendell put in a low cross from the left and the Alemannia captain Hackenberg unluckily turned the ball into his own net (19'). That produced an exuberant mood and lots of singing from the 4,000 travelling Bayer 04 fans. Amiri tried to curl a shot into the far corner but an Aachen player threw his body in the way to block a promising effort (32'). The Werkself clearly had more of the game but the fourth division side remained a difficult and obstinate opponent.

Volland doubles the lead

The Werkself remained calm and were able to double their advantage before the break. Demirbay put Volland through in the box and he hit a left-foot shot into the net at the near post to make it 2-0 on 39 minutes. Shortly after that, a Werkself counter-attack ended with a shot from Karim Bellarabi that went just past the post (42'). Bayer 04 went into half-time with a 2-0 lead thanks to a very controlled and effective display.

Leverkusen started the second half with the same eleven players. A cross from Wendell found Havertz but his shot was saved by the keeper Ricco Cymer with his feet to prevent third goal on 50 minutes. At the other end, the completely untroubled Özcan was called into action to save a free kick from Batarilo that was dipping under the bar (52'). Then the Bayer 04 shot-stopper was left helpless: An Aachen counter-attack saw Batarilo receive the ball unmarked in front of the goal and he was able to turn his shot into the net to make it 2-1 on 56 minutes.

Bosz change pays dividends

Suddenly there was a game on again. It was extremely annoying for Bayer 04 that a clear foul by Alexander Heinze on Havertz did not result in a penalty on the hour mark. The next impressive contribution from Havertz ten minutes later saw him shake off a tackle in the Aachen box and then unleash a shot towards the left side of the goal but Cymer was able to make the save. Peter Bosz then made a double substitution bringing on Julian Baumgartlinger and Leon Bailey for Aránguiz and Bellarabi (72'). The move immediately paid off: Sven Bender picked out Bailey and he cut inside to beat the onrushing Cymer from the edge of the box to make it 3-1 seconds after coming on.

Özcan protects lead

Moussa Diaby was the next new signing to make an appearance when he replaced Amiri on 80 minutes. Sven Bender had to receive treatment when he collided with in Aachen player at a corner (85'). Then Robin Garnier had a shot on goal but Özcan made a brilliant save to turn the ball round the post with his fingertips (87'). In turn it was an Aachener who finally settled matters: A Werkself counter-attack ended with a pass from Diaby to Havertz, born and brought up in the city of Aachen, and he raced away to fire in a shot to make it 4-1 for the Werkself (88').

Bayer 04 kick-off the new Bundesliga campaign next Saturday, 17 August, at 15.30 CET. Newly promoted SC Paderborn are the visitors to the BayArena.

Match stats:

Alemannia Aachen: Cymer – Fiedler (Glowacz 81'), Heinze, Hackenberg, Wallenborn (Salata 69') – Rakk (Pütz 83') – Müller, Batarilo, Garnier, Rüter – Bors

Bayer 04: Özcan – Dragovic, S. Bender, Tah – Bellarabi (Bailey 72'), Aránguiz (Baumgartlinger 72'), Demirbay, Wendell – Havertz, Volland, Amiri (Diaby 80')

Goals: 0-1 Hackenberg o.g. (19’), 0-2 Volland (39’), 1-2 Batarilo (56’), 1-3 Bailey (72’), 1-4 Havertz (88’)

Referee: Petersen (Stuttgart)

Booked: Wallenborn

Attendance: 30,861 (sell-out)

 

 

Related News

SGAB04
DFB-Pokal - 15.08.2025

Werkself progress after interrupted 4-0 win at Großaspach

Bayer 04 are through to the second round of the DFB Pokal after a 4-0 win at Sonnenhof Großaspach on Friday night. The game was paused after only 18 minutes due to a storm over the ground. After a lengthy delay, play resumed and Patrik Schick opened the scoring. Arthur, Christian Kofane and Alejandro Grimaldo made things more comfortable in the second half, as the fourth-tier side had two players sent off.

Show more
Zweikampf im Testspiel
Women - 15.08.2025

Bayer 04 Women play out goalless friendly with PSV Eindhoven

There were no goals across 115 minutes of football between Bayer 04 Women and PSV Eindhoven in Friday’s friendly. Roberto Pätzold’s team played two 45-minute periods before an extra 25 minutes two days prior to heading to Rieden for their training camp. Their Dutch opponents were preparing for their UEFA Women’s Champions League qualifier in 12 days.

Show more
WIRmachenDRUCK Arena Sonnenhof Grossaspach
DFB-Pokal - 15.08.2025

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

The first round of the DFB Pokal takes Bayer 04 to Sonnenhof Großaspach on Friday. The amateur club have just gained promotion to the fourth-tier Regionalliga Südwest and kicked off their campaign with two impressive wins. Here’s all you need to know as Erik ten Hag makes his competitive bow as Werkself boss at the WIRmachenDRUCK Arena (kick-off: 6pm CEST).

Show more
Die PK vor dem DFB-Pokalspiel bei der SG Sonnenhof Großaspach | 1. Runde DFB-Pokal
Werkself-TV - 14.08.2025

Ten Hag ahead of #SGAB04: 'We'll have to produce a good performance'

After two months preparing for the new season, the Werkself play the first game of the 2025/26 campaign on Friday, 15 August (kick-off: 18:00 CEST) away to SG Sonnenhof Großaspach in the first round of the DFB Pokal. Ahead of the tie against the team newly promoted to the Regional League South West, head coach Erik ten Hag talked about his approach to the knockout game and his soft spot for cup competitions.

Show more
LumenHaus GmbH
Business - 14.08.2025

New energy for Bayer 04: LumenHaus GmbH is new Premium Partner

Bayer 04 Leverkusen has a new Premium Partner in its ranks in Düsseldorf company LumenHaus GmbH. The leading provider of networked home energy solutions has initially agreed a one-year partnership with the Bundesliga runners-up to the end of the 2025/26 season.

Show more