Bayer 04 Leverkusen defeated FC St. Pauli 3‑1 in the DFB‑Pokal quarter‑final at BayArena on 3 February 2026, securing a semi‑final berth. Goals from Patrik Schick, Florian Wirtz and Dani Olmo overturned St. Pauli’s early equaliser, while the hosts’ tactical changes in the second half proved decisive. The match featured a swift opening goal by Jeremie Frimpong’s assist, a resilient response from St. Pauli, and a late counter‑attack that sealed the victory.
Match Summary
First Half Highlights
Leverkusen took the lead in the 12th minute when Jeremie Frimpong cut inside from the right and delivered a low cross into the box. Patrik Schick rose above his marker and headed the ball past St. Pauli keeper Philipp Müller to make it 1‑0. St. Pauli responded with a dangerous chance in the 27th minute, as Jan‑Niklas Streuer’s curling effort rattled the cross‑bar. The visitors equalised just before halftime when striker Jan‑Niklas Keller capitalised on a defensive error to slot home from close range, ending the half at 1‑1.
Second Half Turning Points
Coach Xabi Alonso introduced Florian Wirtz for Charles Aránguiz at the interval. Wirtz’s creativity paid off in the 58th minute, providing a perfectly weighted through‑ball for Schick, who finished to restore the lead (2‑1). St. Pauli equalised again in the 71st minute via a set‑piece header from Christopher Schindler. The decisive moment arrived in the 84th minute when Frimpong sprinted down the left, crossed to Dani Olmo, whose powerful volley secured a 3‑1 victory.
Key Players and Tactical Moves
- Patrik Schick – Scored two crucial goals, demonstrating aerial dominance.
- Florian Wirtz – Impact substitute; his vision unlocked the second goal.
- Dani Olmo – Late substitute whose volley clinched the win.
- Jeremie Frimpong – Provided the opening assist and created the final chance.
- Jan‑Niklas Keller – St. Pauli’s equaliser scorer, showing composure under pressure.
Historical Context
Leverkusen and St. Pauli have met 23 times in all competitions, with Leverkusen holding a clear advantage (15 wins, 4 draws, 4 losses). Entering the match, Leverkusen sat second in the Bundesliga and were on a 12‑match unbeaten run across all competitions. St. Pauli, positioned 13th in the league, were the tournament’s surprise package, having reached the quarter‑finals for the first time since 2019.
Implications for the Semi‑Final
The victory propels Leverkusen into the semi‑finals, where they will face either Borussia Dortmund or VfL Wolfsburg. A win would guarantee a place in the final at Berlin’s Olympiastadion and could deliver the club’s first major trophy since the 1993 German Cup triumph. For St. Pauli, the loss ends a commendable cup run but highlights the squad’s ability to compete with top‑four opposition, offering a platform for a stronger league finish.
Coach Comments
“We entered the match knowing the quality of the opposition, but we also believed in our system,” St. Pauli head coach Timo Holtz said. “The early goal showed we could be dangerous, and the equaliser before the break proved our resilience. In the second half, we perhaps lacked the tactical flexibility to respond to Leverkusen’s substitutions.”
“We rotated the squad to keep everyone fresh, and the players executed the game plan perfectly,” Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso added. “The win is a collective effort, and it puts us in a great position to chase silverware this season.”
What’s Next for Both Teams
Leverkusen will focus on preparing for a high‑stakes semi‑final, aiming to maintain their unbeaten momentum and secure a spot in the DFB‑Pokal final. St. Pauli will turn their attention back to the Bundesliga, using the experience gained by younger players such as Keller and Streuer to push for a higher league finish and build on the confidence earned during their cup run.
