Back
13.01.2021DFB-Pokal

What the papers say: ‘Now it's Essen for Bayer’

A clear result in favour of Bayer 04 in the end but with two strong teams on the pitch: The press not only praise the winners on the night after the 4-1 home win against Eintracht Frankfurt in the second round of the DFB Cup.
crop_20210112_JS_B04_SGE_Pokal_0099.jpg

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."

20210112_NB_DFB_Pokal_B04_gegen_Frankfurt_6122.jpg

Moussa Diaby, with his brace, and midfield dynamo Demirbay earned top marks on the night according to the KStA.

B04 versus SGE: Never goalless

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...

 

Related News

Maja Sternad
Women - 06.11.2026

Bayer 04 Women ‘won’t lose sight of our goals’ as HSV visit

After back-to-back away defeats, Bayer 04 Women now face their penultimate home fixture of 2026 as they welcome Hamburg to the Ulrich-Haberland-Stadion on Saturday (14:00 CET) seeking three important points in the Google Pixel Bundesliga.

Show more
Facundo Medina für Argentinien
Bayer 04 - 06.11.2026

November internationals: Medina & Fernández in Argentina squad, Quansah selected for England

Several Werkself players are set to represent their national teams during the final international break of 2026. Here’s an overview of who has been called up and what matches they will face in November. This article will be updated regularly.

Show more
Ibrahim Maza
Europa League - 05.11.2026

Bayer 04 lose 1-0 to Marseille in first Europa League defeat

After three consecutive wins in the Europa League, the Werkself suffered their first European defeat of the season against Marseille. In a first half with few chances, the Black and Reds gradually gained more and more control of the game, but were unable to convert that advantage into goals. Miguel Gutiérrez came closest to putting Leverkusen ahead with a shot that hit the crossbar. In the second half, the French side produced clinical finishing, with Amine Gouiri scoring from a counter-attack to make it 1-0 (77’). Right up to the final whistle, the Werkself threw everything forward in search of an equaliser, but were unable to find a way back into the game.

Show more
Kurzpässe vor #B04OM
Europa League - 05.11.2026

Matchday news: To the very top of the European stage at the fourth attempt?

Bayer 04 are riding a wave of success on the European stage: After three wins from their first three games and as the only team yet to concede a goal, the Werkself sit second in the table in the group stage of the UEFA Europa League. With another three points in their first-ever competitive match against Olympique Marseille on Thursday night, 5 November (kick-off: 21:00 CET), Bayer 04 could leap to the top of the table. Meanwhile, the French side are riding the wave of a winning streak in Ligue 1, but are yet to pick up any points in the Europa League. For one Werkself player, Thursday night will mark a reunion with his former team-mates. Today’s matchday news.

Show more
Bundesliga-Spieltage 12 bis 18 terminiert
Bundesliga - 05.11.2026

Bundesliga matchdays 12 to 18 scheduled: Werkself end 2026 on a Saturday afternoon

The Bundesliga has finalised the fixtures for matchdays 12 to 18 of the 2026/27 season. Here is an overview of the dates.

Show more