2024-04-04 15:31:57
The Düsseldorf sensation did not materialize. In the cup semi-finals, Fortuna had no chance against Leverkusen. Now the actors spoke out.
Fortuna Düsseldorf has been eliminated from the DFB Cup. There was a 4-0 defeat against Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday evening. Unlucky Florian Kastenmaier said after the game on ZDF: “We knew it would be difficult.”
He also criticized his own shortcomings: “We had a wild lineup at times. What we set out to do didn’t work at all,” he complained. “With 3-0, the whole thing was over.”
The Bundesliga table leaders are in the final of the DFB Cup for the fifth time and are huge favorites there on May 25th against second division relegation candidates 1. FC Kaiserslautern with veteran coach Friedhelm Funkel.
“We still have plans”
Double goalscorer Florian Wirtz said after the final whistle: “It’s just fun to celebrate with the fans, to look at everyone’s happy faces.” Leverkusen’s recipe for success? “We approach every game in such a way that we want to win it. That remains the case,” said the young national player. Teammate Jonathan Tah also remained on the ground and said that they were enjoying the moment, but “from tomorrow we will focus on the next game. We still have plans.”
In the league, Leverkusen, who have been without a title since winning the cup in 1993, are 13 points ahead of series champions FC Bayern seven game days before the end of the season. After 40 competitive games this season, the Werkself, who are also in the quarter-finals of the Europa League, are still undefeated.
For Fortuna, who had no chance at all on Wednesday, the dream of the first cup final in 44 years was shattered; the Düsseldorf team can now concentrate on the fight for promotion to the Bundesliga.