Bayern’s previous DFB Cup clashes with Bayer Leverkusen

Bayern and Bayer Leverkusen have faced each other eight times before in the DFB Cup, with the Munich men triumphing on six occasions. The sides will meet again in the 2025/26 semi-finals. Let’s take a look back at the previous eight encounters.

3 December 2014, round of 16: 10 men eliminated

Bayern’s 2024/25 DFB Cup journey ended in the last 16 against the defending Bundesliga and DFB Cup holders. Even after Manuel Neuer was sent off inside 17 minutes at the Allianz Arena, Bayern were actually the better team for long periods but were unable to make that count. A Nathan Tella header for Leverkusen meant elimination as the wait to lift the cup for the first time since 2020 went on.

4 July 2020, final: Triumph in front of empty stands

Bayern last won the DFB Cup in July 2020 thanks to a 4-2 victory over Leverkusen in Berlin. David Alaba’s free-kick, Serge Gnabry and a Robert Lewandowski brace brought the trophy back to Munich for a 20th time, with Sven Bender and Kai Havertz netting consolations for the Werkself in front of an empty Olympiastadion during the pandemic.

17 April 2018, semi-finals: An advert for football

Bayern booked their place in the 2017/18 final on the back of a scintillating 6-2 victory in Leverkusen. “That was an advert for German football,” Thomas Müller enthused after he netted a hat-trick. “It was a demonstration for large periods. We produced an absolutely top performance against a good opponent,” coach Jupp Heynckes added. Yet despite all the goals his team scored, the boss also chose to highlight his goalkeeper: “We were the dominant team, but there were always situations where Sven Ulreich had to save us from conceding.” Lewandowski had opened the scoring that day with a brace inside the first 10 minutes. Thiago, who also provided two assists, was another name on the scoresheet.

8 April 2015, quarter-finals: Penalty drama

Pep Guardiola had to grab himself a seat amidst all the drama of Bayern’s quarter-final tie in 2014/15. After neither side managed to bag a winner in 120 minutes, the tie would be decided on penalties. Josip Drmic saw his first attempt saved by Manuel Neuer, while all five of Bayern’s takers converted their spot-kicks. Even as Bayern progressed, much of the talk about the game was about Guardiola’s seating arrangements, after he borrowed a chair usually reserved for stewards at the BayArena. “I was just tired. My back hurt,” he admitted afterwards.

4 March 2009, quarter-finals: Bayern bow out

Leverkusen got the better of Bayern in the 2008/09 quarter-finals on their run to Berlin. Things looked to be over when Patrick Helmes made it 3-0 in the 70th minute, but the Bavarians didn’t give up and hit back with two goals in four minutes from Lúcio and Miroslav Klose. They pushed for an equaliser in the closing stages but couldn’t find one before Stefan Kießling made it 4-2 in added time in Düsseldorf.

5 March 2003, semi-finals: Ballack & Élber key in progress

Michael Ballack’s first season at Bayern saw him face his former club in the cup semi-finals. Karl-Heinz Rummenigge had called him one of the “best goalscoring midfielders in the world” at the time of his signing, and the Germany international lived up to that in March 2003 as the 26-year-old headed in a corner in the 30th minute. Leverkusen were able to level in the second half before Giovane Élber restored the Munich advantage with an acrobatic effort from Ballack’s delivery. The Brazilian struck again moments later to round out a 3-1 victory and place in the final.

17 December 1997, quarter-finals: Revenge

Just weeks after a 4-2 loss to Leverkusen in the Bundesliga, Bayern had a score to settle in their quarter-final before Christmas. It was a very different display by the eventual cup winners, who dominated from the start. It took until the 42nd minute for Christian Nerlinger to break the deadlock. More opportunities came and went inside the freezing Olympiastadion before Lothar Matthäus set up new signing Élber to finally make it 2-0 in the second half.

26 March 1985, quarter-finals: Wohlfarth the hero

Bayern faced Leverkusen for the first time in the DFB Cup in March 1985 with an away tie in the quarter-finals. The title holders started well and took a fourth-minute lead through Roland Wohlfarth, who doubled the advantage shortly before the break. Udo Lattek’s team had looked impressive, but the Werkself got a goal back after the restart. That didn’t change the result, though, as Reinhold Mathy bagged a third to ensure progress.