Holders Bayer Leverkusen knocked out as third-tier Arminia Bielefeld reach DFB Cup final
Bayer Leverkusen became the next victims of Arminia Bielefeld’s giant-killing DFB Cup campaign as the third-tier side came from behind to win 2-1 and book their place in the final.
Bielefeld had knocked out Bundesliga teams Union Berlin (2-0), Freiburg (3-1) and Werder Bremen (2-1) in previous rounds to reach the last four, but there was a prevailing sense that Xabi Alonso’s defending cup holders would be a step too far for them. So when Jonathan Tah volleyed in an early opener from Amine Adli’s flick-on at a corner, the match appeared to be following a predictable script. Bielefeld had other ideas though, and equalised shortly afterwards when Marius Wörl reacted quickest to a loose ball inside the Leverkusen penalty area and curled a shot past Lukáš Hrádecký. Encouraged by that goal and roared on by their home crowd, Bielefeld should have gone in front a couple of minutes later when Noah Sarenren Bazee sprinted through one-on-one with Hrádecký, only this time the goalkeeper produced an astonishing save. The hosts did go into the break with a narrow advantage when Maximilian Großer volleyed in a devilish Louis Oppie free-kick on the stroke of half-time.
Alonso introduced Victor Boniface early in the second half as Leverkusen sought a way back into the game, but Bielefeld refused to buckle. They should even have gone two goals clear when Oppie found space on the left-hand byline and cut the ball back for Joel Grodowski, but he scuffed his shot from close to the penalty spot and the ball bobbled wide. It was no one-off either. The third-division outfit refused to sit back and just defend their lead, but continued to get forward and trouble the Bundesliga champions. Boniface had a header clawed away by goalkeeper Jonas Kerksen and Patrik Schick grazed the outside of the post with a header from Jeremie Frimpong’s pinpoint cross. That was as good as it got for Alonso's men, who pushed for a trademark late goal but were unable to find it against their dogged hosts, who deservedly secured a first-ever trip to the DFB Cup final.
Match stats
Arminia's Wörl has a competition-leading six goal involvements, scoring three and setting up three.
Bielefeld have never previously gone further than the semi-finals in the DFB Cup. They last reached the final four in 2004/05, where they lost to Bayern, and again in 2014/15, where they were pipped by Wolfsburg.
This was the first time Arminia have ever beaten Leverkusen in the cup, having previously been knocked out by them three times.
Schick is the competition’s top scorer so far this season, with four strikes in five games.
This was Alonso's first defeat as coach in the DFB Cup, previously winning all 10 ties.
Leverkusen had won the DFB Cup only once before last season, with their previous success falling in the 1992/93 campaign.
Bielefeld are into the final for the first time in their history! Leverkusen took the lead through Jonathan Tah, but goals from Marius Wörl and Maximilian Großer before the break turned things around. After the break, the hosts were able to keep their opponents quiet and even went close to extending their lead. The Werkself's defence of their title is therefore over - what an upset!
Leverkusen's best opening since opening the scoring. Schick is unmarked in the middle of the area, but he can only head Frimpong's cross onto the outside of the post. What a chance!
Boniface's header towards the bottom corner is pushed away by Kersken, and the resulting corner is eventually cleared. A little over 15 minutes left for Bielefeld to hold out.
Bielefeld are in no mood to let their slender lead slip - in fact, they are trying to add to it at the start of this second period.
46'
We are back underway!
Bielefeld are 45 minutes away from the Olympiastadion unless Leverkusen can turn things around.
Kick-off!
Half-time: Arminia Bielefeld 2-1 Bayer Leverkusen
The hosts are halfway to another huge scalp in this year's competition! Jonathan Tah gave the visitors the lead, but it last less than two minutes as Marius Wörl equalised. Maximilian Großer then put Arminia ahead with the last kick of the first half to leave the home supporters dreaming of Berlin!
The hosts complete the turnaround! Oppie's brilliant free-kick finds Großer at the back post, and his pokes the ball into the roof of the net. A huge moment to end the half!
Hrádecký makes a crucial save to keep out Sarenren Bazee, who beat Hincapié for pace and strength before seeing his effort when one one with the Finnish goalkeeper parried to safety.
Much like the early half-chance, Tah is found at the back post from a corner. This time, he is unmarked and can bundle the ball over the line despite Kersken's best efforts.
Neither side have been able to create any real opportunities so far, with the respective backlines performing well so far.
10'
Spell of possession
The hosts are passing the ball around well as they look to get Leverkusen moving.
6'
First foray forward
Bielefeld may find themselves defending for lots of this match, but they do break quickly early on here. It comes to nothing for something, although it is a warning sign for the visitors.
3'
Over
Early chance for Leverkusen as a corner eventually finds its way to Tah at the back post. However, he can only head over the crossbar.
1'
We are up and running
We are underway here in Bielefeld!
Kick-off!
Onto the pitch
The teams have made their way onto the field of play for this first semi-final!
10 minutes until kick-off!
Not long to go until this one gets underway - can Bielefeld pull off a shock or will Leverkusen continue the defence of their title?
A good omen for Bayer?
Their previous semi-final defeats saw two of the three teams they'd faced go on to win the trophy. Bayern saw off Schalke in the 2005 final, while a Kevin De Bruyne inspired Wolfsburg were victorious against Borussia Dortmund in 2015.
Long awaited return
This is not Bielefeld's first DFB Cup semi-final, having also reached this stage in 2004/05 (vs. Bayern Munich), 2005/06 (vs. Eintracht Frankfurt) and in 2014/15 (vs. Wolfsburg). They are yet to win one, however, which they'll hope to change tonight.
More on those teams
Leverkusen make just two changes from their Matchday 27 win against Bochum, with Robert Andrich and Amine Adli replacing Aleix García and Victor Boniface. Bielefeld make two changes from their draw with Hannover, with Großer and Hagman coming in for Lannert and Kania.
Leverkusen will have 3,200 passionate fans in the stadium this evening and the visiting contingent will be eager to push their team towards what could be a second consecutive DFB Cup final in Berlin.
Bielefeld midfielder Sam Schreck was once part of Bayer 04's youth set-up and the 26-year-old would love to get one over his old team in the semi-final. "Each of us has to perform to our maximum; we have to develop the same grit and greed as in the previous rounds," Schrek said. "We hope that we can create another cup sensation, like those we've already experienced."
The 27,000 plus capacity SchücoArena is a sell-out for what's set to be a bouncing DFB Cup semi-final in Bielefeld, with the holders Leverkusen in town to face the third-tier surprise outfit Arminia. Hold on to your hats!
Watch: All of Leverkusen's DFB Cup goals this season
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Watch: All of Bielefeld's DFB Cup goals this season
Mitch Kniat on Leverkusen
"It will be a big challenge, but we like that and that's what makes it special. We can't just adapt to our opponents, though; we have to find our own solutions and use them when they arise. You can't go into a game like this with awe or fear. You'd be better off staying at home."
"We’re going into the game with respect but also real excitement. Our goal is clearly to get to the final. We’ll need head, heart and passion for that. It won’t be easy. They’re in good shape. And in my opinion they fully deserve to be in the semi-finals. They’re brave on the ball and very dynamic in their play."
It's been over three years since these sides last met, with Leverkusen prevailing 3-0 in the Bundesliga. Moussa Diaby scored twice at the BayArena. The Werkself had earlier won 4-0 in the reverse fixture in Bielefeld.
Bielefeld held
It took a late equaliser from captain Mael Corboz to earn Arminia a point at home to Hannover's reserves in the 3. Liga on Saturday. The result kept Bielefeld in fourth place with 30 out of 38 games played. Only the top two achieve automatic promotion to Bundesliga 2, with third place - currently Saarbrücken, last year's surprise semi-finalists, a point ahead - contesting the play-off.
Leverkusen's Patrik Schick is the leading marksman in this season's competition with four goals so far. In fact, he's the only Leverkusen player to have found the net more than once in the cup this term. Louis Oppie, Marius Wörl and André Becker are Bielefeld's top scorers with two goals each, but the latter left the club for Waldhof Mannheim in January.
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Watch: Check out some of Leverkusen's best DFB Cup goals this season
Full disclosure: Aleix García's long-range free-kick at around 20 seconds is worth a click all on its own!
Bielefeld's path to the semis
This season's giant-killers, Bielefeld's route to the last four has arguably been harder than Leverkusen's. The third-tier outfit have so far knocked out Bundesliga 2 side Hannover (2-0), followed by three Bundesliga scalps: Union Berlin (2-0), Freiburg (3-1) and Werder Bremen (2-1).
Xabi Alonso's men, who beat Kaiserslautern in last year's final, have progressed to the semi-finals this term by virtue of wins over Carl-Zeiss Jena (1-0), Elversberg (3-0), Bayern Munich (1-0) and local rivals Cologne (3-2).
