Bayer Leverkusen have finally beaten Werder Bremen in the DFB-Pokal in their seventh attempt. Their 4-2 win in extra time at the Bay Arena sends them into the semi-finals. Max Kruse gave Werder a dream start, slotting home from the penalty spot in the 4th minute, before Aron Johansson doubled their lead three minutes later with a gorgeous chip over Bernd Leno. Julian Brandt scored a brace either side of the break to level the hosts and send the match to extra time. Substitute Karim Bellarabi restored Leverkusen’s lead in the 111th minute, before assisting Kai Havertz late on to seal the 4-2 victory.
Bremen flew out of the blocks and were awarded a penalty after just three minutes when Kruse was adjudged to have brought down Jonathan Tah. Kruse converted the spot kick with ease. Bayer almost bounced back immediately, but Jiri Pavlenka tipped Leon Bailey’s header away from danger.
Bremen effective in attack
The Green-Whites capitalised on a defensive mistake moments later when, out of nowhere, Johansson found himself one-on-one with Leno – the American forward keeping his cool and lifting the ball over the out-charging keeper to double Bremen’s lead. The hosts were noticeably shocked after a nightmare start, but recovered some composure when Leno denied Johansson his second of the game after 11 minutes. The Werkself slowly worked their way back into the game and pulled one back thanks to some brilliant individual skill by Dominik Kohr. The European U21 champion charged through the Bremen defence before playing a perfect pass across goal for Brandt to tap into an empty net. Johansson spurned another chance to increase his side’s lead shortly before the break, firing inches wide before Florian Kainz tested Leno twice from distance.
Brandt drags Bayer level
Leverkusen came out of the dressing room at half time determined to level the tie early on, and were duly rewarded for their persistence when Brandt struck the ball into the top corner from 20 yards. With the scores tied, the game developed into a classic Pokal tie, with both sides committing all they had in search of a winner.
Bailey off the woodwork, Bellarabi breakthrough
With neither side able to win it in regulation time, the match went to extra time. Heated at times, it was a cup tie that hang in the balance, with few chances until the 102nd minute, when Bailey’s free kick rattled the woodwork - a warning of what was to come.
Bayer coach Heiko Herrlich introduced Bellarabi in the 108th minute and it took him just three minutes to have an impact on the match, when he reacted quickest to a header inside the box to smash home at the back post for 3-2. With the momentum fully on their side, a fourth soon followed for Leverkusen, Bellarabi this time providing the assist for Havertz’s game-clinching goal.
Bayer Leverkusen have finally beaten Werder Bremen in the DFB-Pokal in their seventh attempt. Their 4-2 win in extra time at the Bay Arena sends them into the semi-finals. Max Kruse gave Werder a dream start, slotting home from the penalty spot in the 4th minute, before Aron Johansson doubled their lead three minutes later with a gorgeous chip over Bernd Leno. Julian Brandt scored a brace either side of the break to level the hosts and send the match to extra time. Substitute Karim Bellarabi restored Leverkusen’s lead in the 111th minute, before assisting Kai Havertz late on to seal the 4-2 victory.
Bremen flew out of the blocks and were awarded a penalty after just three minutes when Kruse was adjudged to have brought down Jonathan Tah. Kruse converted the spot kick with ease. Bayer almost bounced back immediately, but Jiri Pavlenka tipped Leon Bailey’s header away from danger.
Bremen effective in attack
The Green-Whites capitalised on a defensive mistake moments later when, out of nowhere, Johansson found himself one-on-one with Leno – the American forward keeping his cool and lifting the ball over the out-charging keeper to double Bremen’s lead. The hosts were noticeably shocked after a nightmare start, but recovered some composure when Leno denied Johansson his second of the game after 11 minutes. The Werkself slowly worked their way back into the game and pulled one back thanks to some brilliant individual skill by Dominik Kohr. The European U21 champion charged through the Bremen defence before playing a perfect pass across goal for Brandt to tap into an empty net. Johansson spurned another chance to increase his side’s lead shortly before the break, firing inches wide before Florian Kainz tested Leno twice from distance.
Brandt drags Bayer level
Leverkusen came out of the dressing room at half time determined to level the tie early on, and were duly rewarded for their persistence when Brandt struck the ball into the top corner from 20 yards. With the scores tied, the game developed into a classic Pokal tie, with both sides committing all they had in search of a winner.
Bailey off the woodwork, Bellarabi breakthrough
With neither side able to win it in regulation time, the match went to extra time. Heated at times, it was a cup tie that hang in the balance, with few chances until the 102nd minute, when Bailey’s free kick rattled the woodwork - a warning of what was to come.
Bayer coach Heiko Herrlich introduced Bellarabi in the 108th minute and it took him just three minutes to have an impact on the match, when he reacted quickest to a header inside the box to smash home at the back post for 3-2. With the momentum fully on their side, a fourth soon followed for Leverkusen, Bellarabi this time providing the assist for Havertz’s game-clinching goal.
