Martínez ahead of DFB Pokal tie : ‘What we all love most about football’ – Tapsoba named captain

“It’s finally happening! The first competitive match – the thing we all love most about football,” Carles Martínez eagerly declared before adding, with regard to the pre-season preparations that have now been completed: “We’ve taken the first important steps and established a certain style of play as we see it.” The Spaniard added: “I feel a very strong connection with the players and the coaching staff. I really like their passion and enthusiasm. Of course, we’re still a long way from the level this team is capable of. But at the moment, we’re feeling very positive.”

The upcoming opponents, SV Wehen, are currently bottom of the Liga 3 table with no points and have consistently been knocked out in the first round of the DFB Pokal in recent years. Nevertheless, the Hessen side have recently put up a good fight in the Pokal against teams including Bayern Munich (2025/26; 2–3) and RB Leipzig (2023/24; 2–3). Martínez: “It’s a great competition – it’s win or lose. You have to be fully focused when it counts. Naturally, we at Bayer 04 want to win the DFB Pokal in the end. But to do that, we need to take the first step tomorrow, put in a good performance and progress to the next round.”

Martínez, with his team backed by 4,000 travelling supporters in the sold-out away stand in Wiesbaden, wants to win with the Werkself “also, and above all, for our fans. The fact that so many of them are going there means a great deal to us!”

Tapsoba new skipper – Schick vice-captain

Martínez explained that there would still be one or two squad-related decisions to be made before the transfer window closes. However, the 42-year-old also emphasised his “focus is solely on the players who are here and on the next match. As for everything else, Fernando (Carro, ed.), Simon (Rolfes) and Kim (Falkenberg) are the best people to speak to about everything else; working with them is brilliant.”

Meanwhile, Martínez has already made another squad decision this week: defender Edmond Tapsoba, who has been with Bayer 04 since 2020, is the new Werkself captain. Striker Patrik Schick – who has also been at Leverkusen since 2020 – has been chosen as his understudy. Martínez: “We made the decision this week; from our point of view, it was the right moment. Both have been here for many years now. Eddy (Edmond Tapsoba, ed.) is someone who gets on brilliantly with everyone in the team, at the club and, above all, with the fans. Patrik is a very professional player who keeps an eye on the big picture and cares deeply. Together with our many other players who possess leadership qualities, they will form a strong team and make the squad even better.”

on the road together with WERKSELFgo! 🚘🤝

Don’t want to drive to the match on your own, or do you still have spare seats in your car? Then use the official Bayer 04 car-share portal, WERKSELFgo! Simply sign up for free using your Bayer 04 account and find the right lift to the match. You can find all the information you need HERE.