Leverkusen in the DFB Cup: Pressure increases before the duel with Bielefeld!

Leverkusen in the DFB Cup: Pressure increases before the duel with Bielefeld!

Bayer Leverkusen is facing a crucial game as part of the DFB Cup. On April 1, 2025 at 8:45 p.m., the team will meet third division club Arminia Bielefeld. Leverkusen was able to win the double last season, but this season is characterized by increased pressure to win titles again, such as "https://www.derwesten.de/sport/fussball/bayer-leverkusen-xabi-alonso-bielefeld-kovar-dfb-id301510386.html" derwesten.de reported.

Trainer Xabi Alonso made a remarkable decision for the semi -finals. The previous goalkeeper Matej Kovar, who played all cup games of the current season, will sit on the bench while captain Lukas Hradecky will be between the posts. Alonso has obliged Kovar 2023 to replace Hradecky in the long term, but at the moment he trusts the experienced keeper Hradecky, who is considered safe and sovereign.

respect for the opponent

Xabi Alonso expressed the fullest respect for Bielefeld's opponent. These have already beat three Bundesliga teams in this cup season. For Alonso, this duel is a real "all-or-not game". He emphasizes the special importance of the cup and the chance of reaching the final. The atmosphere on the Bielefeld Alm is legendary, and Alonso expects an impressive mood during the game, according to TAG24.de .

An important point in Alonso's considerations is the fitness of its players. Nathan Tella, who had muscular problems, could return to the squad. However, the squad is weakened by injuries, since Edmond Tapsoba will be out with a thigh injury and Florian Wirtz with an inner ligament injury.

kovar and the goalkeeper dilemma

rumors about a possible departure from Matej Kovar will be circulating in the coming summer. Bayer Leverkusen is looking for a new goalkeeper who is supposed to compete with Hradecky. In the DFB Cup season, Kovar had previously performed great achievements by delivering a brilliant game in the quarterfinals against Bayern Munich (1-0) and in other crucial games, which underlines its development. Nevertheless, Alonso has decided that Hradecky will start in the semi -finals, which further fueled the internal competition for the space in the goal.

The outcome of this game is of great importance for the entire season of Bayer Leverkusen. If Alonso led his team to the cup again, this would be a remarkable success for everyone involved, especially with regard to the historical perspective of the DFB Cup, which Leverkusen recently won in the 2023/2024 season when they won 1-0 in the Olympic Stadium Berlin against 1. FC Kaiserslautern, so dfb.de .

Now it is only to be hoped that the Leverkuseners can deliver their quality on the pitch and secure the move into the final of the DFB Cup in order to maintain their ambitions to defend the title.