DFB Cup
Leverkusen is struggling to reach the semi-finals against St. Pauli
Updated February 3, 2026 – 10:50 p.mReading time: 2 minutes
Bayer Leverkusen can continue to dream of the DFB Cup final in Berlin. Three good actions are enough against St. Pauli.
A success in the work victory category: Bayer Leverkusen beat FC St. Pauli 3-0 (1-0) in the quarter-finals of the DFB Cup and is therefore the first semi-finalist. Martin Terrier (32nd minute), Patrik Schick (63rd) and Jonas Hofmann (92nd) scored the goals for weak Leverkusen. The 2024 cup winners are in the semi-finals for the third time in a row.
“The cup is about getting ahead, that’s what we did,” said Robert Andrich soberly on ZDF. The team wasn’t that aggressive against the ball and there was also a lack of coolness in the end.
The Werkself were rarely able to put their stamp on the game, but St. Pauli had their first chance after a corner after four minutes. The penultimate team in the Bundesliga put up strong resistance, but once again remained too harmless offensively and has to wait for the second semi-final participation in the club’s history after 2006.
On the other hand, Schick carelessly missed the first great chance. St. Pauli’s Ben Voll, who replaced regular goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj, made a fatal bad pass in his own penalty area, but Schick only hit Karol Mets on the line from close range (16th). Bayer lacked pace and sharpness, but when the guests failed to clear consistently, Terrier took the lead with a well-placed volley.
Despite the lead, Bayer struggled, but increased at an optimal time: At the end of one of the few dangerous offensive actions, Schick deliberately pushed in after a precise cross. Joker Hofmann hit the post from a distance (75′), the harmless guests lacked the means on offense. After a counterattack, Hofmann secured the final score with only Leverkusen’s third shot of the second half.
