Bayer Leverkusen, fresh from a 1:1 draw against Borussia Dortmund, is ready to keep their dreams of DFB Cup glory alive. "The cup is an immense objective for us. Three more victories are needed to reach the final. It's not a walk in the park, but it's a fantastic opportunity," Xabi Alonso, Leverkusen's manager, said ahead of their upcoming match against SC Paderborn on Wednesday (18:00/Sky) in the almost-packed BayArena.
Following early cup eliminations in the past three competitions, Alonso is not considering drastic changes. Goalkeeper Matej Kovar is likely to start, and a chance for the long-injured striker Patrik Schick to return to the starting line-up is not out of the question. "Yes, he could start," Alonso confirmed on Tuesday. Despite Paderborn's struggle in their five competitive outings this season, Leverkusen has a historical upper hand. They emerged victorious against Paderborn 1:0 in their round of 16 DFB Cup encounter during the 2019/20 season.
Leverkusen's squad and cup matches
As Leverkusen take on Paderborn, German soccer fans eagerly await news about their fellow Lions, Borussia Dortmund, in the same competition. Leverkusen's journey towards cup glory extends beyond their midweek encounter, with a potential quarterfinal match against FC Cologne on February 5, 2025[4], in their sights.
Note: The exact date of the quarterfinals has not been provided in the sources, nor is there any particular mention of who Leverkusen may face in the quarterfinals. However, we can infer that the quarterfinals will feature mouth-watering encounters, as stated by certain sources[1].
Additional details
Enrichment data:
Despite the lack of specifics about their quarterfinal opponent, it is known that Leverkusen will face one of the following teams in the DFB-Pokal quarterfinals: Arminia Bielefeld, Werder Bremen, RB Leipzig, or VfL Wolfsburg[1].
- Quarterfinals schedule: The quarterfinals of the DFB Cup are scheduled for February 25 and 26, 2025[2].
- Potential opponents' records: Bayer Leverkusen might face opponents with varying DFB Cup performances this season. Here is a brief overview:
- Arminia Bielefeld: No specific information about their DFB Cup performance this season is available.
- Werder Bremen: No specific information about their DFB Cup performance this season is available.
- RB Leipzig: No specific information about their DFB Cup performance this season is available.
- VfL Wolfsburg: No specific information about their DFB Cup performance this season is available.
Regarding match reports or updates from the 2024-25 season, you would need to consult specific match reports and updates for detailed information on their DFB Cup performances.
