FC Bayern Munich advanced to the DFB-Pokal final with a 1-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen in the first leg of their semifinal, Harry Kane scoring the only goal in the 22nd minute.
The match, played at Leverkusen’s BayArena, saw Bayern dominate possession and create multiple chances, with Kane nearly doubling the lead in the 40th minute when his volley clipped the crossbar. Leverkusen struggled to cope with Bayern’s high press, failing to register a shot on target until late in the first half.
Leverkusen’s lineup featured Flekken in goal, with Quansah, Andrich, and Tapsoba forming the back three. Vazquez started on the left but was replaced by Poku in the 39th minute after appearing injured. Aleix Garcia, Palacios, and Grimaldo completed the midfield, while Maza, Schick, and Tella led the attack.
Bayern lined up with Neuer in goal, Stanisic, Upamecano, Tah, and Laimer in defense, Kimmich and Pavlovic in midfield, and Olise, Musiala, Luis Diaz, and Kane up front. Pavlovic received the first yellow card of the match in the 43rd minute for a sliding tackle at midfield.
Tapsoba was cautioned in the 39th minute for a challenge on Kimmich, shortly after which Leverkusen made their first substitution. Curiously, a staff member from each team was shown a yellow card by referee Zwayer shortly after the change.
Despite the loss, Leverkusen fans turned out in force ahead of the match, staging a pyro-filled bus reception on Bismarckstraße. Thousands gathered as the team arrived at 19:15, setting off flares and fireworks under the banner “Kämpfen mit dem Löwen im Herzen – siegen mit dem Kreuz auf der Brust.”
The display echoed the welcoming ceremony for Xabi Alonso’s team in April 2024, when Leverkusen celebrated their Bundesliga title with a 5-0 win over Werder Bremen. Bus receptions have become a tradition in Leverkusen, most recently seen before their Champions League win over Inter Milan in December 2024.
Leverkusen manager Kasper Hjulmand acknowledged the challenge, calling Bayern “one of the best teams in the world” and insisting his side must deliver a top performance to reach Berlin. He noted the team has competed well against strong opponents this season and plays for the fans and club.
The winner of the tie will claim the Ostkurve in Berlin’s Olympiastadion for the final, a section favored by fan groups for choreographies over the Westkurve due to its layout and history.
Historically, Leverkusen has reached the DFB-Pokal final five times: 1993, 2002, 2009, 2020, and 2024. Their last appearance ended in a 2-4 loss to Bayern. Under Alonso, Leverkusen went unbeaten in six matches against Bayern, winning three, including a 3-0 victory in February 2024 that preceded their title-clinching campaign.
Under Hjulmand, however, Leverkusen has regressed. The team sits sixth in the Bundesliga, 27 points behind champions Bayern, and has suffered unexpected losses, including a 1-2 defeat to Augsburg. Their only point against Bayern this season came in a 1-1 league draw, where Bayern survived a red card to Nicolas Jackson to salvage a draw.
Leverkusen’s best hope may lie in revisiting Alonso’s tactical approach from their 1-0 cup win in Munich in December 2024. That plan used Florian Wirtz as a false nine to drag Bayern’s central defenders out of position, creating space for runners like Jeremie Frimpong. The strategy led to Neuer receiving a red card in the 17th minute after a challenge on Frimpong.
Whether Hjulmand can adapt a similar approach remains uncertain, especially without the injured Wirtz available. Leverkusen will need to identify a way to disrupt Bayern’s pressing rhythm if they hope to overturn the deficit in the second leg.
What was the key moment in the match?
Harry Kane scored the only goal in the 22nd minute after a quick combination involving Musiala and Luis Diaz, finishing from six meters following a throw-in on the right flank.
How did Leverkusen fans indicate their support before the game?
Thousands of fans greeted the team bus on Bismarckstraße with flares and fireworks, staging a pyro reception under a slogan adapted from the club crest, echoing past celebrations for title-winning teams.
Can Leverkusen still reach the final?
Yes, but they must overcome a 1-0 deficit in the second leg; while they have beaten Bayern before under Xabi Alonso, current form and personnel limitations make the task difficult without a tactical breakthrough.