The Werkself have put an "End to the crisis" against the team from Hessen after a run of three games without a win as the headline in the Süddeutsche Zeitung suggests. In an "extensively exciting and intense battle", the team under head coach Peter Bosz secured revenge for the 2-1 defeat in the Bundesliga ten days ago.
The Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger highlights the mentality of the Werkself in their review. Commenting on the second half: "Bayer went into the second half full of confidence and finished with even more. The reward came on 49 minutes albeit with the help of the match officials. Kerem Demirbay, who was bossing the game in midfield, hit a free kick from 40 yards out onto the head of Edmond Tapsoba who guided the ball into the net. Refereed Dingert drew a decisive and wrong conclusion: goal. Bayer 04 were 3-1 up although Tapsoba was in an offside position."
Moussa Diaby, with his brace, and midfield dynamo Demirbay earned top marks on the night according to the KStA.
The report in the Rheinische Post begins with an historic fact: "Bayer Leverkusen have played 71 league games against Eintracht Frankfurt but the fixture, which has never ended goalless, is a rarity in the cup. The two teams only met for the second time in the knockout competition." As a reminder: The first cup tie also ended with a three-goal advantage to the Werkself. In the semi-final in 1993, Andy Thom, Ulf Kirsten and Co. beat SGE 3-0 and then went on to bring the trophy back to the Rhineland.
But back to the here and now: The Bild saw a match at the BayArena that "was not as clear-cut as the result suggests." Under the headline ("Through with 10 men! Now it's Essen for Bayer") the tabloid highlights the dismissal of Jonathan Tah for an alleged professional foul (73'). And also looks at the next cup opponents for the Werkself: Rot-Weiss Essen. The fourth division team knocked out Fortuna Düsseldorf in the second round with a 3-2 win. Last year's cup finalists now travel to the Ruhr Valley at the start of February...
For the first match under head coach Kasper Hjulmand on Friday night, 12 September (kick-off: 20:30 CEST/live on Sky and WOW), the Werkself welcome an Eintracht Frankfurt side in impressive early form. The Eagles counter-attacking and clinical finishing have stood out in their previous wins this term. Important advice for all fans travelling to and from the match by train: There will be cancellations of S-Bahn services to and from Leverkusen Mitte in both directions. The latest information on tonight’s match.
Show morePremiere on the touchline: When the Werkself welcome Eintracht Frankfurt to the BayArena tomorrow, Friday 12 September, at 20.30 CEST, Kasper Hjulmand will make his debut as head coach of Bayer 04. Ahead of the clash on Bundesliga matchday 3 in 2025/26, the 53-year-old Dane spoke about his excitement ahead of his first game, the short preparation time and the strengths of his opponents.
Show moreThe next fixture dates for the Werkself in the Google Pixel Women's Bundesliga have been finalised - and Bayer 04 will play on the same day of the week four times in a row. The German Football Association (DFB) announced the fixtures for matchdays 5 to 10 on Thursday afternoon.
Show moreEintracht Frankfurt have made a perfect start to the season: The 5-0 victory in the first round of the DFB Pokal at Oberliga club FV Engers 07 was followed by two impressive wins in the Bundesliga against Werder Bremen (4-1) and TSG Hoffenheim (3-1). This Friday, 12 September (kick-off: 20:30 CEST/live on Sky and WOW), the team from Frankfurt visit the BayArena. Not exactly their favourite venue. After all, the last time Eintracht scored in Leverkusen was over ten years ago. The lowdown on our next opponents.
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