A home quarterfinal against FC Bayern München – there aren’t many greater challenges than that. But whoever wants to win the DFB Cup will have to knock the defending champions out and that’s what Bayer 04 Leverkusen will try to do in their game against Pep Guardiola’s side on Wednesday evening (20:30 CEST).
Defensive midfielder Lars Bender will play a crucial role in their quest to reach the final in Berlin. The Germany international, who has 19 caps to his name, spoke to DFB.de about their chances of reaching the next round. The 25-year-old also looked back on his five and a half years so far at Bayer 04 Leverkusen.
DFB.de: Mr Bender, Bayer 04 Leverkusen will take on Bayern München in the quarter-finals of the DFB Cup on Wednesday. What do you think of your chances ahead of the game?
Lars Bender: Bayern are the favourites but we have the advantage of playing at home. Also, when you play in the cup anything can happen and we want to make the most of that. As they would say in Bavarian: “Let’s wait and see!”
DFB.de: FC Bayern have faltered a little recently after their 2-0 defeat to Borussia Mönchengladbach. What does that mean for you?
Bender: Borussia Mönchengladbach proved that Bayern aren’t unbeatable.
DFB.de: How can you beat Bayern?
Bender: We have to remember our strengths and go out there with the aim of taking the next step towards reaching Berlin. We said before the season started that Bayer 04 Leverkusen want to get to Berlin and play in the final.
DFB.de: Did you imply that you have your best chance because you’re playing at home?
Bender: The support from the fans is always important. There will also be other emotions as it is a knockout game against Bayern. We have to use that as an incentive and give our all.
DFB.de: What importance does the DFB Cup have for you?
Bender: We said before the season that we wanted to play a major role in the DFB Cup. We’re now in the quarter-finals and there are only two games to go now until the final. That should be motivation for everyone.
DFB.de: What makes this competition so special for you?
Bender: When you hear the fans singing “Berlin, Berlin, we’re going to Berlin” at a DFB Cup game you know that the DFB Cup has become more and more important over the last few years. It’s a dream for the players, the club and the fans to play a big final in the capital city.
DFB.de: Are you also dreaming of playing in the final in Berlin as you could win a title?
Bender: You can always dream but it’s always decided on the pitch. To go to Berlin for the final is always something special. I would like to hold the trophy in my hands with the team and as a player.
DFB.de: Will your good performances in the last 16 of the Champions League give you a boost going into the game on Wednesday? Leverkusen have shown that they can hold their own against the top teams in Europe.
Bender: That’s true, Atlético Madrid are a top team in Europe. We proved that we can compete with teams like that.
DFB.de: Looking at the Bundesliga, which is the second competition in which you are looking promising: What are your thoughts on your situation going into the run in?
Bender: We’re in the running for a European spot and are also looking good to qualify for the Champions League. We want to consolidate our position.
DFB.de: Leverkusen have got back on track after a bad run of form. Why has that happened?
Bender: We’ve found the right mix between attack and defence. The whole team has pulled together and that has paid off. The 4-0 win at the weekend proved that.
DFB.de: What are your thoughts on the work of manager Roger Schmidt in his first year at Bayer 04? What part has he played in your good season so far?
Bender: The manager speaks intensively to each player and to the team. He has clear ideas and that is a good thing.
DFB.de: You’ve been at Leverkusen for five and a half years now, which is a lot longer than the manager. What have you experienced whilst being here?
Bender: I’ve taken an important step in my career at Leverkusen. I’ve played for Germany and have established my team as a top side in the Bundesliga.
DFB.de: What do you look back on particularly? What have been the highlights?
Bender: I have great memories of the 2010/11 season under Jupp Heynckes. I played in Europe for the first time and we did well in the Bundesliga, finishing second ahead of Bayern and therefore qualified for the Champions League automatically. Dortmund won the league that year.
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A home quarterfinal against FC Bayern München – there aren’t many greater challenges than that. But whoever wants to win the DFB Cup will have to knock the defending champions out and that’s what Bayer 04 Leverkusen will try to do in their game against Pep Guardiola’s side on Wednesday evening (20:30 CEST).
Defensive midfielder Lars Bender will play a crucial role in their quest to reach the final in Berlin. The Germany international, who has 19 caps to his name, spoke to DFB.de about their chances of reaching the next round. The 25-year-old also looked back on his five and a half years so far at Bayer 04 Leverkusen.
DFB.de: Mr Bender, Bayer 04 Leverkusen will take on Bayern München in the quarter-finals of the DFB Cup on Wednesday. What do you think of your chances ahead of the game?
Lars Bender: Bayern are the favourites but we have the advantage of playing at home. Also, when you play in the cup anything can happen and we want to make the most of that. As they would say in Bavarian: “Let’s wait and see!”
DFB.de: FC Bayern have faltered a little recently after their 2-0 defeat to Borussia Mönchengladbach. What does that mean for you?
Bender: Borussia Mönchengladbach proved that Bayern aren’t unbeatable.
DFB.de: How can you beat Bayern?
Bender: We have to remember our strengths and go out there with the aim of taking the next step towards reaching Berlin. We said before the season started that Bayer 04 Leverkusen want to get to Berlin and play in the final.
DFB.de: Did you imply that you have your best chance because you’re playing at home?
Bender: The support from the fans is always important. There will also be other emotions as it is a knockout game against Bayern. We have to use that as an incentive and give our all.
DFB.de: What importance does the DFB Cup have for you?
Bender: We said before the season that we wanted to play a major role in the DFB Cup. We’re now in the quarter-finals and there are only two games to go now until the final. That should be motivation for everyone.
DFB.de: What makes this competition so special for you?
Bender: When you hear the fans singing “Berlin, Berlin, we’re going to Berlin” at a DFB Cup game you know that the DFB Cup has become more and more important over the last few years. It’s a dream for the players, the club and the fans to play a big final in the capital city.
DFB.de: Are you also dreaming of playing in the final in Berlin as you could win a title?
Bender: You can always dream but it’s always decided on the pitch. To go to Berlin for the final is always something special. I would like to hold the trophy in my hands with the team and as a player.
DFB.de: Will your good performances in the last 16 of the Champions League give you a boost going into the game on Wednesday? Leverkusen have shown that they can hold their own against the top teams in Europe.
Bender: That’s true, Atlético Madrid are a top team in Europe. We proved that we can compete with teams like that.
DFB.de: Looking at the Bundesliga, which is the second competition in which you are looking promising: What are your thoughts on your situation going into the run in?
Bender: We’re in the running for a European spot and are also looking good to qualify for the Champions League. We want to consolidate our position.
DFB.de: Leverkusen have got back on track after a bad run of form. Why has that happened?
Bender: We’ve found the right mix between attack and defence. The whole team has pulled together and that has paid off. The 4-0 win at the weekend proved that.
DFB.de: What are your thoughts on the work of manager Roger Schmidt in his first year at Bayer 04? What part has he played in your good season so far?
Bender: The manager speaks intensively to each player and to the team. He has clear ideas and that is a good thing.
DFB.de: You’ve been at Leverkusen for five and a half years now, which is a lot longer than the manager. What have you experienced whilst being here?
Bender: I’ve taken an important step in my career at Leverkusen. I’ve played for Germany and have established my team as a top side in the Bundesliga.
DFB.de: What do you look back on particularly? What have been the highlights?
Bender: I have great memories of the 2010/11 season under Jupp Heynckes. I played in Europe for the first time and we did well in the Bundesliga, finishing second ahead of Bayern and therefore qualified for the Champions League automatically. Dortmund won the league that year.
