Leverkusen will be without a key attacker for Wednesday night’s DFB-Pokal semi-final against Bayern Munich at the BayArena, dealing a significant blow to Kasper Hjulmand’s hopes of upsetting the newly crowned Bundesliga champions.
The absence comes as Leverkusen prepares to face Bayern Munich in the second leg of their DFB-Pokal semi-final clash, with kick-off scheduled for 20:45 CET (18:45 UTC) at the BayArena. Leverkusen have reached this stage after victories over SG Großaspach (4-0), SC Paderborn (4-2), Borussia Dortmund (1-0) and FC St. Pauli (3-0), while Bayern secured their passage with wins over lower-tier opposition en route to the last four.
According to verified team news from trusted sources, Leverkusen will be missing Martin Terrier due to a hamstring issue and Arthur with a ligament tear, both listed as doubts for the crucial fixture. These absences represent a notable weakening of Hjulmand’s attacking options ahead of what promises to be a demanding encounter against a Bayern side riding the momentum of their 35th Bundesliga title triumph.
The German Cup semi-final represents Leverkusen’s third consecutive appearance at this stage of the competition, highlighting their consistent cup performances in recent seasons. For Bayern Munich, however, this marks only their second DFB-Pokal semi-final appearance in the last six years, underscoring the varying trajectories of the two clubs in domestic cup competitions despite their shared Bundesliga pedigree.
Historically, the sides have met five times previously in the DFB-Pokal, with Bayern holding a slight edge in the head-to-head record at three wins to Leverkusen’s two. Leverkusen will look to draw inspiration from their 1-0 victory over Bayern in the competition back in April 2024, their most recent triumph in this fixture.
Bayern Munich arrive at the BayArena as clear favorites having recently clinched the Bundesliga title, with celebrations still fresh from their 4-2 victory over VfB Stuttgart that secured the league championship. Harry Kane described the Stuttgart win as “motivation” for their pursuit of additional silverware, with the DFB-Pokal now a stated priority for Vincent Kompany’s side.
The DFB-Pokal winner qualifies for both the DFL-Supercup and UEFA Europa League, unless they have already secured Champions League qualification through their Bundesliga performance – a scenario that could apply to Bayern given their league triumph. For Leverkusen, a cup victory would represent only their third-ever German Cup title and provide valuable silverware amid a challenging Bundesliga campaign that has seen them fall four points adrift of the Champions League places.
Leverkusen’s recent form has been inconsistent, with the side drawing six of their last 11 competitive matches while managing just three victories. Their league ambitions took a hit over the weekend with a 2-1 home defeat to Augsburg, further emphasizing the importance of cup success for the Rhinelanders this season.
Despite these challenges, Leverkusen possess a strong recent record in the DFB-Pokal, having lost just one match over the last three years in the competition. This resilience in cup ties contrasts with their more variable league performances and could prove crucial in what promises to be a tightly contested encounter.
For Bayern, reaching the DFB-Pokal final would mark their first appearance in the competition’s showpiece event since the 2019-20 campaign, adding extra significance to Wednesday night’s clash. The Bavarians are reportedly viewing the cup as a key component of their seasonal objectives following their Bundesliga success.
As both teams prepare for what promises to be a compelling semi-final encounter, the absence of Terrier and Arthur will require tactical adjustments from Hjulmand, who must find alternative ways to threaten Bayern’s defense while maintaining Leverkusen’s compact shape that has served them well in previous cup runs.
The winner of this tie will advance to the DFB-Pokal final, where they will await the victor of the other semi-final matchup. With both clubs possessing strong motivations for cup success – Bayern seeking to add to their domestic dominance and Leverkusen aiming to salvage their season with silverware – the stage is set for a memorable encounter at the BayArena.
Fans can follow the match through official broadcasting partners, with details on television and live-stream availability confirmed closer to matchday. For continued updates on team news, tactical developments and post-match analysis, readers are encouraged to check official club channels and trusted sports news outlets.
What are your thoughts on Leverkusen’s chances despite the key absences? Share your predictions for the DFB-Pokal semi-final in the comments below and join the conversation with fellow football fans.
