DFB-Pokal | Quarter-Finals

Feb 5, 2025 at 7.45pm UK

BayArena

B. Leverkusen vs FC Koln

Match preview

Die Schwarzroten benefitted hugely from Manuel Neuer's 17th-minute red card for Bayern, though they created surprisingly few opportunities against the Bavarians, with their tally of three big chances just one fewer than Bayern managed.

Alonso's side beat Hoffenheim 3-1 in the Bundesliga on Sunday to move to second place on 45 points after 20 rounds of matches, but they trail Bayern Munich by six points with 14 games remaining.

Leverkusen's record of 49 goals scored and 27 conceded in the top flight makes them the second-best attacking side in the division and fourth-best defensively, although they have already conceded three more goals this term than last.

It should be noted that the home side have kept five clean sheets in their last five DFB-Pokal games, winning by a cumulative score of 10-0.

The Schwarz-Roten have won their last two games - one draw and one defeat - but have also won each of their previous 11 matches.

Leverkusen's home record is exceptional, having won their last nine games at the BayArena, and they have lost only three of their 15 home matches in the 2024/25 season, drawing two and losing one.

As for FC Koln, they would have gone to penalties in the last round of the DFB-Pokal had it not been for Dejan Ljubicic's 121st-minute winner against Hertha Berlin, who were reduced to 10 men after 25 minutes.

The Billy Goats currently lead the 2. Bundesliga with 37 points, but are only two points ahead of third-placed Magdeburg, who occupy the promotion play-off spot.

Coach Gerhard Struber's side have won seven and drawn four of their 22 encounters with Leverkusen, with the hosts winning the last two.

FC Koln defeated Bundesliga side Holstein Kiel 3-0 in the DFB-Pokal at the end of October and have won six of their last seven matches in all competitions.

The visitors' away form is strong, having won five of their last six away games, although they have gone into extra time in five of their last seven DFB-Pokal games, winning four of them.

Recent Performance

Bayer Leverkusen DFB-Pokal form:WWW

Bayer Leverkusen form (all competitions):WWLDWW

FC Koln DFB-Pokal form:WWW

FC Koln form (all competitions):WWWLWW

Team News

Leverkusen striker Tella is not expected to be sidelined for long, but his hip injury is likely to make Wednesday's game too soon, so Jonas Hofmann and Amine Adli may be called upon to flank striker Patrik Schick.

Striker Martin Terrier is out for the rest of the season, as is centre-back Jeanuel Belocian, and the defender's absence could see Alonso deploy Mario Hermoso, Nordi Mukiele and Piero Hincapie in a back three.

Robert Andrich could come into midfield for Granit Xhaka, who may need to be rotated to maintain his fitness at the age of 32, and he could be partnered by Exequiel Palacios.

Meanwhile, FC Koln have a number of injury absentees, including midfielders Jacob Steen Christensen and Mathias Olesen, so it would not be surprising to see Dejan Ljubicic and Eric Martel in a double pivot.

Timo Hubers, Joel Schmied and Dominique Heintz could start in a back three with Luca Kilian ruled out.

Damion Downs and Steffan Tigges are candidates to play together in a back-two, given their partnership against Eintracht Braunschweig on 1 February and the absence of Mark Uth and Tim Lemperle.

Possible starting lineup

Bayer Leverkusen possible starting lineup:

Hradecky; Hermoso, Mukiele, Hincapie; Frimpong, Andrich, Palacios, Grimaldo; Hofmann, Adli; Schick

FC Koln possible starting lineup:

Schwabe; Hubers, Schmied, Heintz; Gazibegovic, Ljubicic, Martel, Paqarada; Kainz; Downs, Tigges