What shape are Bayer Leverkusen in before DFB Cup semi-final with Bayern?

Consistency, confidence and pressure are all buzzwords around Bayer Leverkusen going into Wednesday’s DFB Cup semi-final at home to Bayern. Yes, the Werkself have picked up some important wins of late, but they’ve struggled to produce those results on a consistent basis. However, Kasper Hjulmand’s side have done well against big teams and can claim another scalp in the cup. Here’s the lowdown on Leverkusen’s recent form, strengths and problems going into the final four against Bayern.

Leverkusen’s form to start 2026 has generally looked good, losing just once in eight Bundesliga games prior to Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at home to Augsburg. That includes a 1-1 draw at home to Bayern, plus a notable performance against Arsenal in the Champions League round of 16 first leg with the same result. However, a return of only three wins in that time has seen them lose ground in the race for the top four.

RB Leipzig (59 points), VfB Stuttgart (56) and Hoffenheim (54) are all ahead with four games to go. The Werkself sit in sixth place on 52 points, which would only put them into the Conference League play-offs as things stand. Their cushion over Freiburg in seventh, though, is a comfortable nine points. Still, there’s little room for any more slips in the final weeks of the season if they want to be back in the Champions League once again. It won’t be easy, however. They face a tricky run-in with their derby away at Köln and then six-pointers with Leipzig and Stuttgart, before finishing against Hamburg.

That being said, Leverkusen showed in their 1-0 win away at Borussia Dortmund just two games ago that the 2024/25 champions can get results. It was another example of Aleix Garcia & Co. causing issues for a big team. Vincent Kompany will no doubt look at those recent fixtures as he plans for victory at the BayArena.

Opposite number Kasper Hjulmand praised his team after that win for how they operated in possession. “We defended better, but the key was our own play. It’s really important for us that we play with the ball and pressure the opposition. We can do even better, but three points in Dortmund is obviously a great win for us,” the Dane said.

Leverkusen’s ability in possession is reflected in the numbers. They have a pass completion rate in the Bundesliga of 89 percent, only narrowly trailing Bayern (90.4 percent). Keeping the ball is also part of their game, averaging 57 percent of the league campaign. Again, Bayern are top of the charts there with 62 percent. Hjulmand wants his side to try and dictate proceedings.

The Werkself are at their most dangerous when they get forward in a quick and direct way. Prior to the weekend’s game against Augsburg they’d had the joint-most shots from counter-attacks in the Bundesliga with 43. Ten goals came as a result. The only team with more? Yes, Bayern with 12.

As Bayern have learned over their encounters with Leverkusen in recent years, Alejandro Grimaldo is the one to watch for the opposition. The Spaniard leads the way for goal contributions with a combined eight goals and seven assists this season. Patrik Schick was also on the scoresheet against Augsburg with a header. He’s scored four of his five Bundesliga goals in 2026 with his head, which is the most of any player in Germany’s top flight.

Leverkusen know how they want to play, have the numbers to back it up and have confidence from recent big games. They’re an opponent that Bayern will need to get under control if Kompany’s men want to progress to the DFB Cup final.

Read up on the stats ahead of the semi-final: