Bayer Leverkusen will be the favourites to get the better of St. Pauli as the DFB Pokal returns this Tuesday.
A place in the DFB-Pokal semi-finals is on the line on Tuesday night as Bayer Leverkusen host St. Pauli at the BayArena, with the balance of power firmly tilted toward the home side despite the knockout stakes.
Leverkusen arrive with momentum and belief. Their narrow 1–0 victory over Borussia Dortmund in the previous round showcased a side comfortable suffering without losing control, repelling late pressure and managing the game with maturity. That resilience has underpinned their recent cup pedigree, having lifted the trophy in 2023–24 and followed it up with a semi-final appearance the season after. While a shock exit to Arminia Bielefeld remains a cautionary tale, this iteration looks more settled and purposeful.
Domestically, Kasper Hjulmand’s team are well positioned in the Bundesliga’s upper tier. Sitting sixth on 35 points, they remain within touching distance of the Champions League places and come into this fixture on the back of three consecutive league wins. The 3–1 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt at the weekend was another example of their balance: disciplined without the ball, decisive when opportunities arose. Across that winning run, Leverkusen have kept two clean sheets, scored six times, and conceded just once.
Home form further strengthens their case. Five wins from their last eight matches at the BayArena reflect a venue that has once again become a reliable base, particularly in cup competitions where control and patience often prove decisive.
St. Pauli, meanwhile, deserve credit for their path to the quarter-finals. Their 2–1 win over Borussia Mönchengladbach in December was built on defensive organisation and efficiency, limiting a more fancied opponent to minimal clear chances. That result stands out as a rare bright moment in an otherwise difficult campaign.
The Kiezkicker’s Bundesliga struggles are well documented. With just 14 points on the board, they sit deep in the relegation battle and remain four points adrift of the playoff place. Recent form offers little respite: winless in six matches, with only two goals scored in their last three outings, confidence is fragile. Away from home, the picture is bleaker still. Aside from their Pokal success in Gladbach, St. Pauli have lost eight of their last 11 road games.
History also favours the hosts. St. Pauli were beaten 2–1 at home by Leverkusen earlier in the season and have failed to beat them in their last five meetings. Overturning that pattern at the BayArena would require a near-perfect performance. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how the clubs could line up on the night and what tactics they might employ.
Team News & Tactics
Bayer Leverkusen
With the DFB-Pokal representing Bayer Leverkusen’s most realistic route to silverware this season, a strong and largely first-choice lineup is expected on Tuesday night. There are no fresh suspension concerns for the hosts, and while rotation has featured in league play, this competition is clearly being treated as a priority.
Leverkusen do, however, remain without first-choice goalkeeper Mark Flekken, who continues to miss out through injury. As a result, Janis Blaswich is set to retain his place between the posts. Elsewhere, the squad is in good shape, allowing head coach Kasper Hjulmand flexibility across midfield and defence. In the engine room, Ezequiel Fernández and Aleix García are both pushing for starts, while Robert Andrich could be deployed in a deeper role as part of a back three rather than his usual midfield position.
Tactically, Leverkusen are expected to line up in a 3-4-2-1 formation, designed to dominate possession while maintaining defensive security. Janis Blaswich should start in goal, protected by a three-man defence consisting of Jarell Quansah on the right, Robert Andrich operating centrally, and Loïc Badé on the left. This setup allows Andrich to step into midfield during buildup while maintaining numerical superiority at the back.
The wing-back roles are likely to be filled by Jonás Vázquez on the right and Alejandro Grimaldo on the left, providing width, progression, and delivery into the final third. In central midfield, Ezequiel Fernandez is expected to offer ball-winning and structure alongside Aleix García, who will dictate tempo and distribution. Ahead of them, Adam Maza and Kwame Poku should operate as advanced attacking midfielders, drifting between the lines to support the lone striker. Leading the line, Patrik Schick is set to spearhead the attack, providing physical presence, hold-up play, and a consistent goal threat inside the penalty area.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Blaswich; Quansah, Andrich, Bade; Vazquez, Fernandez, Garcia, Grimaldo; Maza, Poku; Schick
FC St.Pauli
With Bundesliga survival the clear priority, St. Pauli are expected to rotate heavily for Tuesday’s DFB-Pokal quarter-final, and Alexander Blessin is likely to field a weakened starting XI at the BayArena. There are no new suspension issues to contend with, but squad management is central to the visitors’ approach, given their demanding league situation and thin margins in the relegation fight.
Rotation is most likely in defence and midfield. Jannik Thomas Robatsch is expected to feature in the back three, providing cover and physicality as St. Pauli look to limit Leverkusen’s attacking flow. In midfield, Mathias Rasmussen is pushing for inclusion and could be asked to shoulder additional responsibility in both defensive transitions and ball progression. The attacking burden is again set to fall on Martijn Kaars and Ricky-Jade Jones, who will be tasked with providing energy, pressing, and direct running rather than sustained possession.
Tactically, St. Pauli are expected to line up in a 3-5-2 formation, prioritising compactness and numbers through the middle of the pitch. Ben Voll is likely to start in goal, protected by a back three consisting of Hauke Wahl on the right, Jannik Robatsch centrally, and Karol Mets on the left. The wing-back roles should be occupied by Fin Stevens on the right and Louis Oppie on the left, both primarily focused on defensive duties against Leverkusen’s width.
In central midfield, Joel Chima Fujita is expected to anchor the unit, supported by Mathias Rasmussen and captain Jackson Irvine, whose work rate and leadership will be crucial in screening the defence. Up front, Martijn Kaars is likely to partner Ricky-Jade Jones, with the pair operating on the counter and attempting to exploit any space left behind Leverkusen’s advanced wing-backs.
St. Pauli’s task is further complicated by their away form with their only win in the last 11 matches on the road came in the DFB-Pokal against Borussia Monchengladbach, with eight defeats suffered in that run, a stark reminder of the scale of the challenge they face on Tuesday night.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Voll; Wahl, Robatsch, Mets; Stevens, Fujita, Rasmussen, Irvine, Oppie; Kaars, Jones
Key Stats
- Bayer Leverkusen have reached at least the semi-finals in two of the last three DFB-Pokal campaigns, including lifting the trophy in the 2023–24 season.
- Leverkusen have won five of their last eight matches at the BayArena in all competitions, conceding just twice during that run.
- St. Pauli have lost eight of their last 11 away matches, with their only victory in that period coming in the DFB-Pokal against Borussia Mönchengladbach.
- Leverkusen have kept two clean sheets across their last three competitive matches, conceding just one goal during that sequence.
- St. Pauli have scored only twice in their last three matches.
Player to Watch
Patrick Schick
Czech international striker Patrik Schick is set to be a central figure in Bayer Leverkusen’s push for a place in the DFB-Pokal semi-finals, particularly with the hosts expected to field a strong, attack-minded lineup. As the focal point of Leverkusen’s forward line, Schick offers a blend of physical presence, intelligent movement, and clinical finishing that makes him difficult to contain in knockout football.
The Czech striker thrives against deep and compact defensive structures, using his positioning and aerial ability to convert crosses and second balls inside the box. With Leverkusen likely to dominate possession and apply sustained pressure, Schick’s ability to turn territorial control into tangible rewards could prove decisive.
Schick’s experience in high-stakes matches also adds value. He remains calm in decisive moments and is adept at exploiting lapses in concentration, a trait that could punish a rotated St. Pauli back line. If Leverkusen are to assert their superiority early and avoid a prolonged contest, Schick is the player most likely to deliver the breakthrough.
Prediction
Bayer Leverkusen 3–0 FC St. Pauli
With a semi-final place on the line and the DFB-Pokal representing their clearest route to silverware, Bayer Leverkusen are unlikely to take chances. Their recent form, depth, and home strength give them a clear advantage, especially against a St. Pauli side expected to rotate heavily with Bundesliga survival the priority.
St. Pauli’s poor away record and lack of attacking output make it difficult to see them sustaining pressure for long periods, while Leverkusen’s control in midfield and quality in the final third should gradually tell.
