Xabi Alonso is in the worst crisis of his still-young coaching career after Bayer Leverkusen were dumped out of the DFB-Pokal semi-final by third-tier Arminia Bielefeld. The Basque tactician is regarded as one of football's biggest up-and-coming coaching talents after leading Leverkusen to a historic domestic double last season and doing so without losing a single match.

Leverkusen were left unhappy with the condition of the pitch in Tuesday night's 2-1 defeat to the third division side.

Bayer Leverkusen’s CEO believes a penalty should be imposed on third-tier Arminia Bielefeld for not watering their pitch before knocking out the Bundesliga champions in the DFB-Pokal semi-finals. Pokal holders Leverkusen took the lead in Tuesday’s last-four clash took the lead when Jonathan Tah bundled in at the far post.

On their way to Tuesday's DFB-Pokal semi-final at SchücoArena, 3. Liga side Arminia Bielefeld had previously knocked out Hannover 96 of the 2. Bundesliga and three Bundesliga clubs in Union Berlin,

This could be a great season for Arminia Bielefeld. They currently sit fourth in the 3. Liga and are pushing for promotion back to Bundesliga 2. In the DFB Pokal, they have already eliminated three Bundesliga clubs on their way to the semi-finals.

Arminia Bielefeld have become only the fourth ever third-division club to reach the German Cup final after beating holders and reigning Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen in the semifinal.

Leverkusen are without long-term absentees Jeanuel Belocian (knee), Mario Hermoso (chest), Martin Terrier (Achilles) as well as Florian Wirtz (ankle) and Edmond Tapsoba (hamstring). On the bright side for Die Werkself, Nathan Tella will be back in the squad if he has no problems in the final training session.

In an unforgettable DFB-Pokal semifinal match, Arminia Bielefeld stunned reigning champions Bayer Leverkusen with a remarkable 2-1 victory. This historic win not only propels Bielefeld into the final,