Bayer Leverkusen lose to third-tier club Arminia

Bayer Leverkusen lose to third-tier club Arminia

Bayer Leverkusen were knocked out of the DFB-Pokal with a shock semi-final loss to third-tier team Arminia Bielefeld.

WHAT HAPPENED?

This season, Arminia Bielefeld eliminated four Bundesliga teams, including Werder Bremen, Freiburg, Union Berlin and now Bayer Leverkusen to secure their place in the DFB-Pokal final for the first time in the club’s history. In the semi-final against Bayer Leverkusen, Jonathan Tah gave Leverkusen the lead in the 17th minute, tapping in from a corner. However, Arminia equalized through Marius Wörl just three minutes later, and Maximilian Großer scored the decisive goal in first-half stoppage time from a free-kick, securing a 2-1 victory.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Leverkusen created chances early in the game, but Arminia’s defense and goalkeeper Jonas Kersken stood firm in the later stages. Kersken notably made key saves to deny Leverkusen forwards, including Victor Boniface. Patrik Schick also had a close-range header hit the post late in the game. The victory marked an extraordinary achievement for Arminia, becoming the fourth third-tier team in history to reach the DFB-Pokal final.

WHAT XABI ALONSO SAID:

“We’re very poor. Very poor. Unacceptable. From the first minute until the last,” Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso told reporters. “It doesn’t matter that the opponent is in the third division. It was an overall unacceptable performance from us, in which we didn’t control the game as we should have. If quality, intensity, concentration, and collective thinking are not there, then Arminia can beat us as well as anyone else. In one game you always have a chance.” His comments reflected the team’s disappointment after such a surprising loss.

Meanwhile, Arminia Bielefeld coach Michel Kniat praised his players for their historic achievement, highlighting their resilience and teamwork throughout their cup run.

WHAT NEXT?

Arminia will face the winner of the semi-final between RB Leipzig and VfB Stuttgart in the DFB-Pokal final, which will take place on May 24, 2025, at the Olympiastadion in Berlin. Bayer Leverkusen, on the other hand, will shift their focus back to the Bundesliga, where they face Borussia Dortmund in their next match.