3-0 win puts Werkself in cup final

"Every player dreams of playing in the final," raved midfielder Demirbay who produced an outstanding performance. "It was a semi-final and it doesn't matter whether you're playing against a fourth division team or a Bundesliga side. The only thing that matters is getting to the final. I'm proud of the team and over the moon."

The circumstances were more than unusual for Bayer 04: Bayern on Saturday and in Völklingen on Tuesday – certainly a big change for the Werkself. And the coach Peter Bosz made five changes to his starting eleven: Aleksandar Dragovic, Nadiem Amiri, Julian Baumgartlinger, Karim Bellarabi and Leon Bailey made way for Wendell, Mitchell Weiser, Kerem Demirbay, Paulinho and Florian Wirtz. That involved a change in formation to 4-2-3-1. Kai Havertz was again sidelined and the captain's armband in this important match went to Charles Aránguiz.

Diaby rewards forceful Werkself start

The atmosphere would have been special with spectators at Saarbrücken's temporary home in Völklingen: but the circumstances ensured an incredibly special situation for a cup semi-final – one that the Werkself had to first get used to. But Bayer 04 were not put off at all by the conditions and they forced the opponents from the Saarland back towards their own penalty area. Demirbay fired in an early warning shot but his effort was deflected away from the target (6'). The hosts' plan quickly became clear: Sit very deep and be disciplined but use every possibility to counter. Through this approach, Saarbrücken did occasionally venture forward and Edmond Tapsoba was shown an early yellow card.

However, Bayer 04 refused to be ruffled and a fine move produced an early lead: Demirbay delicately chipped the ball from midfield into the penalty area – and Diaby timed his run perfectly: The Frenchman broke through at the right moment men and skilfully turned the ball through the legs of the Saarbrücken keeper Daniel Batz (11') with his first touch.

Werkself maintain tempo – Alario doubles lead

And Bayer 04 kept their foot on the gas: After an excellent dribble by Wirtz, Aránguiz had a great chance to score the second goal but Batz pulled off a fine save (17'). But it was 2-0 shortly after that: A whipped-in cross from Demirbay was blocked by Batz and the FCS captain Manuel Zeitz – and the beneficiary was Lucas Alario. The Argentinian took on the volley and fired it straight into the back of the net – that's how a central striker does it (19').

Defence holds firm – chances for Demirbay and Paulinho

This early double changed little about the pattern of the game. The Werkself maintained concentration, moved the ball well and kept Saarbrücken at a safe distance. Again and again, Demirbay influenced the game with some clever moves and the playmaker also showed his ability with his head: First, he nodded a cross just wide of the left-hand post (31') and then Batz kept out another header (35'). Before that, Paulinho was in a promising position to shoot but he hit it wide of the target on the turn (28'). Batz then held onto another shot from the Brazilian (34').

The third chance for Paulinho definitely deserved to end up with a goal: After a quick one-touch attack involving Wirtz, Sven Bender and Alario, the ball came to the young striker but his effort went just wide (38'). Paulinho was a constant threat but he was again unable to beat Batz (39') after another great pass from Demirbay. The Werkself were solid at the back with Sven Bender & Co. breaking up the occasional attacking efforts of the, soon to be third division side before they could get into a threatening position. Saarbrücken did not have a single shot in the first half and the lead at the break for the Bosz team was richly deserved.

Another Demirbay assist – sub Bellarabi scores

The Werkself coach made two changes at half-time: Tapsoba, on a yellow card, was replaced in central defence by Tah and Bellarabi came on for Wirtz. Then Saarbrücken had their first chance: A volley from Sebastian Jacob in a clearly offside position did not trouble Lukas Hradecky (47'). At the other end, Bellarabi had a chance but his volley went over the top of the Saarbrücken goal (48'). Bayer 04 continued to pose a threat and, after a mix-up in the box, a shot from Alario was blocked (54'). Saarbrücken then upped their game and created chances but Weiser was in just the right position to block a dangerous effort from Anthony Barylla (56').

However, during the best phase for the hosts so far, the Werkself struck for a third time: It looked like Diaby had got stuck in the FCS defence at the end of a pacey dribble but Demirbay was alert and he lifted the ball over Christopher Schorch with his head up: From the baseline, the Werkself number ten pulled the ball back to Bellarabi – and the sub fired the ball into the roof of the net (58'). A great finish – but once again outstanding work from Demirbay.

Further chances for Bayer 04 - Paulinho unlucky

Saarbrücken's resistance was broken and Peter Bosz made further changes: Kevin Volland replaced Diaby for his second appearance since his return from injury and Aleksandar Dragovic came on for Sven Bender (62'), and shortly after that Exequiel Palacios came on in place of Aránguiz (70'). With their comfortable lead, Bayer 04 eased off in attack and Saarbrücken had one decent opportunity through Timm Golley (69').

But the lively Werkself continued to set the tone and clearly provided more of a threat. A lightning fast move saw Volland feed the ball to Paulinho – but his effort flew over the bar (72'). The Brazilian, who certainly caught the eye but failed to find the back of the net was unlucky with his finishing: Another great attack ended with him being denied by a brilliant reaction save from Batz (77'). And, shortly after that, he put an effort from the edge of the box just wide of the top corner (79'). Respect to Paulinho that he passed the ball when he was in another promising position to shoot but Bellarabi was also unable to beat the impressive Batz (78').

We've done it – final shirts immediately available

The scorer of the third goal then had to leave the pitch again through injury – and the Werkself ended the match with a player down as Peter Bosz had already made five changes. Saarbrücken had their best chance from substitute Markus Mendler (90+ 1') but little changed, even with ten men, as Bayer 04 ran the clock down – until the referee Winkmann blew for full-time to great joy and celebration in the black and red camp.

Relieved and overjoyed, the Werkself players put on the final shirts, immediately available from the Bayer 04 shop via this link. The team produced a performance that goes down in the club annals: Bayer 04 are again in the DFB Cup final for the fourth time following on from 1993, 2002 and 2009, and now have the chance to win a title for the first time in 27 years. "It's one game and it's do or die so we’ll give our all," said three-time provider Demirbay looking forward. Tomorrow will decide the opponents in the final at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin on 4 July: FC Bayern and Eintracht Frankfurt meet in the second semi-final. "We'll enjoy ourselves today and then prepare for Schalke," said Demirbay – the Werkself return to league action on Sunday (14 June, 18.00 CET) with an away game in Gelsenkirchen.

FC Saarbrücken: Batz - Jänicke (Froese 46'), Schorch (Bulic 87'), Zeitz, Uaferra, Barylla - Perdedaj (Breitenbach 68'), Zellner, Golley, Müller (Mendler 68') - Jacob (Eisele 78')

Bayer 04: Hradecky – Weiser, Tapsoba (Tah 46'), S. Bender (Dragovic 62'), Wendell - Aránguiz (Palacios 70'), Demirbay - Wirtz (Bellarabi 46'), Paulinho, Diaby (Volland 62') - Alario

Goals: 0-1 Diaby (11’), 0-2 Alario (19’), 0-3 Bellarabi (58’)

Referee: Guido Winkmann (Kerken)

Booked: Tapsoba