Leverkusen's Tapsoba counts on home fans in semi-final against Bayern

Leverkusen's Edmond Tapsoba in action during the German Bundesliga soccer match between FC Augsburg and Bayer Leverkusen at WWK Arena. Harry Langer/dpa

Bayer Leverkusen defender Edmond Tapsoba believes his side can use home advantage against Bayern Munich in their German Cup semi-final on Wednesday and says all the pressure is on their opponents.

Bayern won the Bundesliga title at the weekend and are bidding for a treble and possible sextuple, with a Champions League semi-final against holders Paris Saint-Germain coming up.

But the Bavarians have not won the German Cup since 2020 and were knocked out of the competition by Leverkusen at the last-16 stage last term. Leverkusen won the Cup in 2024 as part of a remarkable unbeaten league and Cup double.

"We are playing in our stadium, which we know inside out, in front of our families and our fans. They give us energy and always stand behind us. When we all come together in a circle again shortly before kick-off, sometimes we cannot hear our own words," Tapsoba told Leverkusen's website on Tuesday.

"When we then run over to the fans and look into their faces, that gives me the biggest push. It will be the same on Wednesday. And it is exactly this atmosphere ... that we have to make Bayern feel."

Leverkusen are battling for a Champions League spot for next term via the Bundesliga. They sit sixth, four points behind a guaranteed Champions League place.

The Cup looks the Werkself's best chance of success, especially as the semi is over one leg, but Tapsoba still feels Bayern have more riding on the game.