Lukas, congratulations on reaching the DFB Cup semi-finals. What's your view of the game?
We didn't play well in the first half and we didn't apply enough pressure. We wanted to show what we could do in the second half and we played better football. That was working before the sending off. After the two yellow cards for the Union player, it was easier for us to get behind their defence. That meant we could turn the game round.
Frankfurt also come to the BayArena boosted by the win against Bremen. How do you think you need to play to win at home?
In lots of games over the past few weeks, we've learned you have to give your all to get a result. Eintracht aren't doing so well in the league at the moment but that doesn't make them any less dangerous. They’ve produced some great performances in the Europa League. It will be a tough game and they will definitely want to beat us.
You were in goal for Eintracht for three years. Is this game always special for you?
Of course, and it will always be like that. It's good to see how Eintracht have got on since I left. They're playing good football and their current position in the table doesn't reflect the quality of the team. I'm proud of my three years at Frankfurt and the club will always have a place in my heart.
Are you still in contact with anybody at Frankfurt?
Yes, we write to each other from time to time. For example, the new goalkeeping coach Jan Zimmerman is a very good friend of mine and there are also a couple of guys from the coaching staff. There's still very good contact.
Playing in three competitions carries on for you, and after the game against Frankfurt there is the Europa League clash in Glasgow. What will be most important in the next few weeks?
There are lots of important games coming up and there's not a lot of time to recover. We can't afford to ease off now, quite the contrary: We have to be positive and should enjoy playing so many games.
Four Bayer 04 players are in action at the 35th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations being played in Morocco from 21 December to 18 January 2026: Eliesse Ben Seghir for the hosts, Edmond Tapsoba with Burkina Faso, Ibrahim Maza for Algeria and Christian Kofane with Cameroon. Updates on the AFCON matches involving Werkself players...
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Due to the last-minute postponement of the Bundesliga match between Hamburg and the Werkself on Tuesday, 13 January, Bayer 04 will reimburse the ticket price to all 3,500 fans who had already travelled to Hamburg as a sign of appreciation. The tickets remain valid for the rescheduled match (date not yet set).
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen will have to manage without centre-back Edmond Tapsoba in the coming weeks. The Burkina Faso international returned to the Werkself from the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco with a muscle injury.
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The Bundesliga fixture between Hamburger SV and Bayer 04 Leverkusen has been postponed at short notice.
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Bayer 04 face Hamburger SV for the first time in almost eight years. Although the Hanseatic city team are often below par on the road, they are regularly in top form in front of their own fans. In particular, 18-year-old shooting star Luka Vuskovic is proving to be a real bonus for Merlin Polzin's team, both in attack and defence. However, that should not scare the Werkself: Not only was the last defeat against the newly promoted team 17 games ago, but Kasper Hjulmand's players are in with a chance of securing their fifth win in six games against HSV. Today’s matchday news.
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