"The Cup dream of Bayer 04 Leverkusen sank without trace in the mud of Essen," declares the Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger at the start of their match report. "The Bundesliga side with big Champions League ambitions and dreams of the title had to accept a 2-1 defeat in extra time against fourth division Rot-Weiss Essen in the DFB Cup Round of 16."
"A football miracle that really hurts Leverkusen," says BILD – and adds: "It should never have gone into extra time. It’s hard to believe it was 0-0 after 90 minutes."
This is unravelled in the Rheinische Post, which presents the following analysis taking account of Leverkusen's 3-5-2 system: "The attacking approach was evident: In the first half-hour alone, the Werkself produced a handful of good chances. But Bayer did not find the back of the net."
"Leverkusen obviously had more and better chances," reports the Süddeutsche Zeitung. "Patrik Schick put a header against the post (24'), Charles Aránguiz tested Davari (29') and Moussa Diaby shot just wide in added time in the first half."
The WAZ also highlights the outstanding goalkeeper for the Red and Whites on the night. "Davari continually surpassed himself over the course of the game," praises the newspaper. "He parried Edmond Tapsoba's header (51') and Bailey's low shot (60'). The game was a case of: Davari against Leverkusen. The Regional League side were unable to break free."
In the view of the Frankfurter Rundschau, the Regional League side had "immense luck just before the end of the 90 minutes," when Bayer 04 hit the post twice in one move. "Then came extra time that saw Essen sensationally continue their fairy tale success."
"Bayer appeared to be on course after Bailey's goal," reports the EXPRESS, "But Essen showed incredible morale" – and also survived the final VAR intervention after the winner. "There were heated discussions because Essen's Felix Herzenbruch pulled Jeremie Frimpong's shirt inside his own penalty area. Referee Daniel Schlager (31) looked at the incident on the monitor – and awarded the goal."
After Jens Nowotny was officially named a Bayer 04 honorary captain last weekend, the long-standing Werkself player is part of the Leverkusen delegation on the trophy tour to New York City next week from 11 to 14 September. In an interview with bayer04.de, the 50-year-old talked about his expectations ahead of the trip to the metropolis on the East Coast of the USA.
Show moreThe German Football League (DFL) has confirmed the dates and kick-off times for matchdays 6 to 12 of the 2024/25 Bundesliga season. Full details of the Bayer 04 fixtures.
Show moreMarkus Rehm, a long jumper at TSV Bayer 04 Leverkusen, won the gold medal for the fourth time in succession at the Paralympics on Wednesday.
Show moreThe fixture details for the second round of the DFB Pokal 2024/25 have been confirmed. The home tie for Bayer 04 against second division SV 07 Elversberg is on Tuesday, 29 October with the kick off at 18.00 CET (live on Sky). That was announced by the German Football Association (DFB) on Thursday.
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