In a stunning turn of events, Arminia Bielefeld has made history by knocking out Bayer Leverkusen in the semifinals of the DFB-Pokal, securing their place in the final for the very first time. The third-division side, currently sitting fourth in their league, has demonstrated remarkable resilience and skill, defeating four Bundesliga teams in their cup run, culminating in a thrilling 2-1 victory over the reigning champions.
The match kicked off at the packed SchücoArena, where Bielefeld was met with a sea of enthusiastic supporters. Leverkusen, under the guidance of coach Xabi Alonso, was heavily favored to win, having recently claimed both the Bundesliga and the DFB-Pokal titles. However, the match quickly proved that anything can happen in football.
Leverkusen struck first in the 17th minute when Jonathan Tah volleyed in a goal from a corner, assisted by Amine Adli. The visitors seemed poised to take control of the match, but Bielefeld responded with determination. Just three minutes later, Marius Wörl equalized for the hosts, reacting swiftly to a loose ball in the penalty area and curling a shot past goalkeeper Lukáš Hrádecký.
The momentum shifted dramatically as Bielefeld, buoyed by their home crowd, began to assert themselves. They took the lead just before halftime when Maximilian Großer volleyed in a superb free-kick from Louis Oppie, sending the stadium into a frenzy. The halftime score was 2-1 in favor of Bielefeld, a remarkable turnaround that left Leverkusen reeling.
Despite a strong push from Leverkusen in the second half, Bielefeld's defense held firm. Alonso made tactical changes, bringing on Victor Boniface to spark his side's attack, but the underdogs were not to be denied. Bielefeld continued to threaten on the counter, almost extending their lead when Joel Grodowski squandered a golden opportunity, scuffing a shot from close range.
Leverkusen, desperate for an equalizer, saw attempts from Patrik Schick and Boniface thwarted by Bielefeld's goalkeeper Jonas Kerksen. Schick, the competition’s top scorer this season, hit the post with a header, but the visitors could not find the back of the net. As the clock ticked down, the tension mounted, but Bielefeld's defense stood strong, denying Leverkusen any clear-cut chances.
With the final whistle, the stadium erupted in celebration. Bielefeld had not only secured a place in the DFB-Pokal final but had also made history by becoming only the fourth third-division team to reach this stage of the tournament, following in the footsteps of Union Berlin, Energie Cottbus, and Hertha Berlin's reserve team.
“I can’t believe what’s happened here tonight against one of the best teams in Germany,” said Wörl after the match. “But we knew that, after beating three other Bundesliga teams, we could do it, and I think we deserved it.” His sentiment echoed the feelings of many as Bielefeld's fairytale run continues.
Bielefeld’s journey to the final has been nothing short of extraordinary. They began their cup campaign by defeating second-division side Hannover 96, followed by impressive victories over Bundesliga sides Union Berlin (2-0), SC Freiburg (3-1), and Werder Bremen (2-1). The victory over Leverkusen marked the first time a third-division team has eliminated four top-flight teams in a row.
As they prepare for the final, Bielefeld faces either VfB Stuttgart or RB Leipzig, who are set to meet in the second semifinal. The anticipation is palpable as fans dream of a cup victory, a feat that would further cement their place in German football history.
Meanwhile, Leverkusen reflects on a disappointing exit from the tournament. Midfielder Robert Andrich lamented, “That was our worst game of the season by far, in our most important game so far. We were second to every ball and we have to admit we completely messed up.” This defeat marks Alonso’s first loss in the DFB-Pokal, having previously won all ten ties since taking charge.
For Bielefeld, the focus now shifts to maintaining their position in the 3. Liga or winning the Westphalen Pokal to qualify for next season’s DFB-Pokal. Despite their cup success, they face a challenging battle to secure promotion to the second division, as they currently sit fourth in their league.
The DFB-Pokal final will be held at the Olympiastadion in Berlin, and the excitement surrounding Bielefeld’s historic achievement is palpable. Fans are eager to see if their team can continue their fairy tale run and bring home the trophy.
As the dust settles on this remarkable semifinal, one thing is clear: Arminia Bielefeld has captured the hearts of football fans with their giant-killing exploits and relentless spirit. The final awaits, and with it, the chance to etch their name in the annals of German football history.
