Bayer 04 Leverkusen is in the final of the DFB Cup in Berlin. Against Fortuna Düsseldorf, the Werkself never left any doubt that they wanted to live up to their role as favorites.
The tension had already shrunk to a minimum early on, and not only among the approximately 30,000 spectators in the arena: Bayer 04 Leverkusen’s superiority over Fortuna Düsseldorf in the semi-finals of the DFB Cup was too great. The game was decided too early in favor of the Werkself.
The team of coach 1. FC Kaiserslautern, also a second division team, will be the opponent.
“We are happy that we made it to the final. We approached the game very seriously from the first second. The anticipation for the final is very great. But we shouldn’t underestimate it. An opponent that we should respect and that “We deserve to be in the final. But if we approach it as seriously as we did today, I am convinced that we will take the pot with us to Leverkusen,” Bayer 04 defender Jonathan Tah told Sportschau.
Thioune: “Welcome to reality”
“We had a very strong opponent and didn’t do what we wanted at the beginning. The game was never in danger for Leverkusen in the second half. That’s okay. That’s of course brutally annoying and also annoying,” Fortuna defender Tim Oberdorf told Sportschau.
Daniel Thioune had not yet digested the bankruptcy. “I’m a little bit disappointed. The dream of Berlin was there. But the dreams were quickly over. Welcome to reality,” said the Fortuna trainer at the sports show.
Frimpong with the early lead
The game started as expected: Leverkusen had a lot of possession and control of the game, Düsseldorf tried to form a compact defense. However, Alonso’s team managed to find gaps in Fortuna’s defense very early on.
First, F95 defender Emmanuel Iyoha was able to clear a Leverkusen cross in front of the onrushing Jeremie Frimpong (4th). Just three minutes later, the Bayer 04 offensive player was completely free in front of the Düsseldorf goal – also after a cross – and coldly converted from seven meters to make it 1-0 (7th).
Leverkusen superiority
However, the early deficit did not cause coach Daniel Thioune’s team to give up prematurely. Fortuna tried to find playful solutions and thereby dangerously get in front of the Werkself goal. With one exception, the Düsseldorf team didn’t go beyond a few good approaches but ultimately harmless attempts to finish in the first half.
Leverkusen’s superiority was simply too great. And: Dusseldorf’s offensive efforts repeatedly created large spaces for Bayer 04. Nothing changed in the first division team’s superiority.
Goalkeeper Kastenmeier with a pass error
The Leverkusen team set the scene and repeatedly came to dangerous approaches to the goal. After 20 minutes, a counterattack by the Werkself made it 2-0. Florian Wirtz fed Amine Adli, who made it 2-0 with a low shot from around 14 meters.
Even after this clear lead, Leverkusen didn’t even have the idea of changing their style. They continued to dominate, let the ball and opponents run – and scored again. Wirtz made it 3-0 (35th) after a pass error by Fortuna goalkeeper Florian Kastenmeier and a quick reaction from his teammates from around twelve meters.
Hoffmann with a Düsseldorf goal chance
But Düsseldorf also surprisingly had a good opportunity. Fortuna defender André Hoffmann tried to turn after a counterattack shortly before half-time (45′), but Bayer 04 goalkeeper Matej Kovar was able to parry his shot from eight meters with a remarkable reaction.
Daniela Müllenborn, Sportschau, April 3rd, 2024 10:42 p.m
Leverkusen was also the dominant team in the second half and created some good chances. But initially there was a bit of a lack of determination to transform it. Patrik Schick was unlucky when his header hit the post after 57 minutes.
Wirtz scores with a penalty
However, Fortuna defender Matthias Zimmermann received the ball on his outstretched arm, and referee Christian Dingert decided on a penalty after studying the video images. Wirtz grabbed the ball and made it 4-0 (60th).
The air was almost gone from the game after this goal. Frimpong still had a good chance to score (84′), but Fortuna goalkeeper Kastemnmeier was able to save.
Leverkusen had further good news on their own behalf: Attacker Victor Boniface (23) was able to play for a few minutes for the first time since the injury he sustained at the end of December. Both teams played down the last few minutes and waited for the final whistle.