Bayer Leverkusen have lost just one domestic fixture in over 18 months as they prepare to host local rivals Cologne in the DFB Cup. - © IMAGO/Weis/TEAM2sportphoto

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Bayer Leverkusen vs. Cologne: DFB Cup quarter-final probable teams, match stats & LIVE blog!

03.02.2025

Bayer Leverkusen will continue the defence of their DFB Cup title when they face local rivals Cologne on Wednesday in the quarter-finals of this season's competition (kick-off: 8.45pm CET).

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Leverkusen continue to challenge on all three fronts, and they are now just three games away from reclaiming the trophy they won last term as part of an unbeaten domestic double. Xabi Alonso will be without Jeanuël Belocian and Martin Terrier for this clash, but Amine Adli is fit again after a leg fracture. Emiliano Buendía, an attacking winter loan acquisition, could also feature again after picking up two assists on his debut against Hoffenheim at the weekend. There could be a first start for centre-back Mario Hermoso, who came on for Buendía in the latter stages against Hoffenheim following his temporary switch from Roma. It remains to be seen who is selected up top as Alonso has the choice between two star strikers. Patrik Schick has 14 goals in 17 Bundesliga appearances this term, but Victor Boniface started the campaign as first-choice before suffering an injury and scored from the start against Hoffenheim after being given the nod. Schick also struck off the bench. Matěj Kovář tends to play in goal in place of Lukáš Hrádecký in cup competitions, but one man Alonso can't do without in such a big fixture is Florian Wirtz, the one-time Cologne youth player.

While Leverkusen are used to midweek games, it's a much rarer occurrence these days for the Billy Goats, with players and fans probably pleased they face such a short trip on a Wednesday night. They will be relishing this cup run, but the priority for the two-time Bundesliga champions no doubt remains an immediate return to the top flight. They are on course to do so following relegation last term, as they sit top of the fiercely contested Bundesliga 2 table. On this occasion, though, they will have to make do without top goalscorer Tim Lemperle, who has a hamstring issue. Mark Uth, Jacob Christensen and Luca Kilian are also unavailable for this one. In Lemperle's absence, Leverkusen will have to keep an eye on 21-year-old eight-goal striker Damion Downs, while midfielder Dejan Ljubicic has also contributed with five strikes from midfield. Gerhard Struber's men are currently on a run of just one defeat in their past 13 matches in all competitions and will therefore fancy their chances of causing an upset, even if they enter this clash as significant underdogs.

Watch: Leverkusen won 3-0 at home to Cologne en route to the title last season

Match stats

Leverkusen have scored the first goal in each of their past six matches in all competitions.
This is just the fourth time these two teams will face off in the DFB Cup. Leverkusen have prevailed in the past two meetings, while Cologne won the first in 1982/83.
The Werkself have not conceded in any of their past five cup matches, their second-longest run in this tournament.
Cologne have won five of their 13 meetings with a Bundesliga outfit as a second-tier club.
The Billy Goats have lost just one away game in all competitions this season.
With 25 goals conceded, Cologne currently boast the second-best defensive record in Bundesliga 2.

Probable teams

Leverkusen: Kovář - Mukiele, Tah (c), Hermoso - Arthur, Xhaka, Andrich, Grimaldo - Buendía, Wirtz - Schick
Out: Belocian (knee), Terrier (Achilles)
Doubtful: -
Coach: Xabi Alonso

Cologne: Schwäbe - Schmied, Hübers (c), Heintz - Thielmann, Martel, Huseinbašić, Finkgräfe - Ljubicic - Maina, Downs
Out: Christensen (knee), Kilian (knee), Lemperle (hamstring), Pauli (concussion), Uth (calf)
Doubtful: -
Coach: Gerhard Struber

LIVE blog!

Leverkusen

Wed, 05.02 19:45

Cologne

DFB Pokal
Quarter-final Quarter-final BayArena

0:22

Watch: Florian Wirtz wins Goal of the Month for January 2025!

Run, nutmeg, finish. Check out the playmaker's glorious effort against Gladbach on Matchday 18 that won the fant vote, which took place exclusively in the official Bundesliga app.

Xabi Alonso's view on Cologne

"A quarter-final is always special, but even more so to play one against Cologne. It'll be an intense and difficult game. They're brave and, in my opinion, have a Bundesliga squad with lots of quality and experience. They can also play with high intensity and are in very good form right now."

Gerhard Struber's view on Leverkusen

"We're really looking forward to facing one of the best teams in Europe. We're the underdogs, which we're not used to. We all have to be prepared to suffer and defend in numbers, but also be aggressive and try to play with freedom. We need balance and to make the most of our chances on the counter."

Strong on the road

Cologne have lost just one game away from home in all competitions this season, so they will have hope of completing an upset here.

Tale of the Cup tape

This is the fourth time these two have met in the DFB Cup. Cologne won the first meeting in 1982/83, but Leverkusen have prevailed in the last two, with the most recent victory coming in 2001/02.

2:03

Watch: Bayer Leverkusen 3-1 Hoffenheim

Leverkusen, meanwhile, beat Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga on Sunday, with new signing Emiliano Buendía picking up two assists.

1:03

Watch: Eintracht Braunswhweig 1-2 Cologne - highlights

Cologne's last match ended in a 2-1 victory, with Damion Downs scoring the winner in the first half.

Leverkusen continue title defence

The hosts, of course, are the current holders of the DFB Cup, having defeated Kaiserslautern 1-0 in the final last term courtesy of Granit Xhaka's strike.