Defending champions Bayer Leverkusen will welcome FC Koln in the quarter-final of the DFB-Pokal on Wednesday.
Bayer Leverkusen will aim to continue their impressive domestic form and avoid an upset as they host FC Koln in the quarter-finals of the DFB-Pokal at the BayArena on Wednesday. Xabi Alonso’s men, currently in the thick of a Bundesliga title race, will have their eyes set on a deep cup run, while second-tier Köln dream of a giant-killing to keep their season’s fairytale alive.
The defending DFB-Pokal holders took full advantage of a Bayern Munich slip-up in the previous round, progressing with a 1-0 victory after Manuel Neuer’s early red card tilted the game in their favour. Despite Bayern being reduced to ten men in the 17th minute, Leverkusen surprisingly struggled to carve out clear-cut chances but eventually sealed their place in the quarter-finals thanks to Nathan Tella’s crucial strike in the 69th minute.
Since that victory, Die Schwarzroten have strengthened their league position, most recently securing a 3-1 win over Hoffenheim at the weekend. This result leaves Alonso’s side second in the Bundesliga with 45 points from 20 games, six points adrift of league leaders Bayern Munich with 14 matches left in the campaign.
Leverkusen’s attacking prowess is evident, having netted 49 goals in the Bundesliga, making them the second-best offensive unit in the league. However, their defensive numbers have slightly declined — they have conceded 27 goals so far, three more than at this stage last season.
Nevertheless, their DFB-Pokal record remains outstanding, with five consecutive clean sheets in the competition, racking up an aggregate score of 10-0 in those games. They have been nearly unbeatable at the BayArena, winning their last nine matches at home and dropping points in just three of their 15 home fixtures in all competitions this season.
FC Koln, currently topping the 2. Bundesliga table, arrive in Leverkusen hoping to pull off a major upset. Gerhard Struber’s side edged past Hertha Berlin in the previous round, needing extra-time heroics from Dejan Ljubicic in the 121st minute to avoid a nerve-wracking penalty shootout. Hertha had played most of the game with 10 men after an early red card, yet Köln struggled to put the match away until the final moments.
Despite playing in the second tier, the Billy Goats have been in excellent form, sitting at the summit of the league table with 37 points. However, they have little breathing room, with Magdeburg trailing by just two points in third place, meaning their promotion chase is far from secure.
Historically, Koln’s record against Bayer Leverkusen is underwhelming, winning just seven of their 22 encounters. In their most recent clashes, Die Werkself emerged victorious, signalling a tough challenge for the visitors.
However, Struber’s men have proven their mettle in cup competitions, having already knocked out Bundesliga side Holstein Kiel with a convincing 3-0 win in the earlier rounds. Their form away from home has been solid too, winning five of their last six away matches in all competitions.
Yet, their DFB-Pokal away record tells a different story — five of their last seven knockout ties on the road have gone to extra time, though they’ve managed to win four of them. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how both sides could line up and what tactics they might employ on the day.
Team News & Tactics
Bayer Leverkusen
Bayer Leverkusen will be without Nathan Tella, who is recovering from a hip injury. While the forward’s absence is not expected to be long-term, this quarter-final clash may come too soon for his return. In his absence, Jonas Hofmann and Amine Adli are likely to start in the attacking midfield roles, supporting the central striker.
Leverkusen’s injury concerns extend beyond Tella, with Martin Terrier ruled out for the rest of the season due to a long-term injury. Defensively, Jeanuel Belocian is also sidelined, leaving manager Xabi Alonso with a decision to make in central defence. With Belocian unavailable, Alonso may opt for a back three comprising Mario Hermoso, Nordi Mukiele, and Piero Hincapie to provide defensive stability.
In midfield, Granit Xhaka could be given a rest due to workload management, considering the 32-year-old’s importance to the squad. His absence may open the door for Robert Andrich to start alongside Exequiel Palacios in the centre of the park, providing both defensive solidity and attacking transitions.
Leverkusen are expected to line up in a 3-4-2-1 formation, with Lukas Hradecky in goal. The back three is likely to feature Mario Hermoso on the right, Nordi Mukiele in the centre, and Piero Hincapie on the left.
The wing-backs will be crucial to Leverkusen’s attacking play, with Jeremie Frimpong operating on the right and Alejandro Grimaldo on the left, offering width and creativity. In midfield, Robert Andrich and Exequiel Palacios are expected to form a double pivot, dictating play and breaking up opposition attacks.
In attack, Jonas Hofmann and Amine Adli will play just behind the main striker, providing support and linking up with Patrik Schick, who will lead the line for Bayer Leverkusen against FC Koln on Wednesday.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Hradecky; Hermoso, Mukiele, Hincapie; Frimpong, Andrich, Palacios, Grimaldo; Hofmann, Adli; Schick
FC Koln
Koln head into this quarter-final clash against Bayer Leverkusen with several injury concerns. Midfielders Jacob Steen Christensen and Mathias Olesen remain unavailable, limiting manager Gerhard Struber’s options in the centre of the park. Their absence is likely to see Dejan Ljubicic and Eric Martel form a double pivot, tasked with balancing both defensive duties and building play from midfield.
Defensively, Luca Kilian has been ruled out, forcing Struber to rely on a back three consisting of Timo Hubers, Joel Schmied, and Dominique Heintz. This defensive trio will be responsible for maintaining solidity against Leverkusen’s potent attack while also helping to transition the ball forward from the back.
In the attacking department, Mark Uth and Tim Lemperle will be unavailable for selection, further limiting Koln’s options in the final third. Given their absences, Damion Downs and Steffen Tigges are expected to lead the attack together. The duo has experience playing as a pair, having previously partnered in Koln’s match against Eintracht Braunschweig on February 1, and they will look to replicate that chemistry in this crucial cup tie.
FC Koln are expected to line up in a 3-4-1-2 formation, with Marvin Schwabe starting in goal. The back three will likely feature Timo Hubers on the right, Joel Schmied in the centre, and Dominique Heintz on the left. Jusuf Gazibegovic is expected to operate as the right wing-back, providing width and supporting the attack, while Leart Paqarada will take up the left wing-back role, offering an additional attacking outlet from the flanks.
In midfield, Dejan Ljubicic and Eric Martel will form the central partnership, working to break up opposition play while also dictating tempo when in possession. Further forward, Florian Kainz is expected to operate in an advanced midfield role, acting as the primary creative force behind the front two. Leading the line will be Damion Downs and Steffen Tigges, who will be responsible for stretching the Leverkusen defence and capitalizing on attacking opportunities.
Probable Lineup (3-4-1-2): Schwabe; Hubers, Schmied, Heintz; Gazibegovic, Ljubicic, Martel, Paqarada; Kainz; Downs, Tigges
Key Stats
- Bayer Leverkusen have kept five consecutive clean sheets in the DFB-Pokal, winning those matches with a combined score of 10-0.
- FC Koln have been taken to extra time in five of their last seven DFB-Pokal away matches, highlighting their tendency to struggle in finishing games within 90 minutes.
- Xabi Alonso’s side have won their last nine home matches at the BayArena across all competitions. In the 2024-25 season, they have only failed to win three of their 15 home fixtures.
- In the last 22 meetings between these two sides, Bayer Leverkusen have emerged victorious 11 times, while FC Koln have only managed seven wins, with four matches ending in a draw. Leverkusen have also won both of the most recent encounters.
- Despite their second-tier status, FC Koln have shown strong away form, winning five of their last six road games in all competitions.
Player to Watch
Patrick Schick
The Czech international has battled injuries in recent seasons, but he remains one of the most clinical finishers in German football when fit and firing. Schick’s movement, hold-up play, and finishing ability make him a dangerous presence inside the box. With Jonas Hofmann and Amine Adli providing support from the attacking midfield, he will be the focal point of Leverkusen’s attack, looking to exploit Koln’s defence with his intelligent positioning.
His recent form has been encouraging, and with Nathan Tella unavailable, even more attacking responsibility will fall on Schick’s shoulders. Given Leverkusen’s dominance at home and strong cup form, Schick will be eager to get on the scoresheet and push his team one step closer to retaining their DFB-Pokal title. If FC Koln’s backline fails to contain him, they could be in for a long night at the BayArena.
Prediction
Bayer Leverkusen 2-0 FC Köln
Bayer Leverkusen’s superior squad depth, home form, and defensive resilience in the DFB-Pokal make them the clear favourites heading into this tie. Koln’s fighting spirit and ability to grind out results in extra time suggest they won’t go down without a battle, but overcoming Xabi Alonso’s well-drilled side at the BayArena seems like a daunting task.
Expect FC Koln to stay compact and frustrate Bayer Leverkusen in the early stages, but ultimately, the Bundesliga side’s firepower and experience should prove too much to handle. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-0 win for Xabi Alonso and his charges.