The Black and Reds are currently sixth in the table on 20 points just one behind fourth-placed TSG Hoffenheim. "We have four points more than at the same point last season," said head coach Robert de Pauw: "The table is much tighter than a year ago and that's good." At the same time, he said: "Of course, we want to do even better. But the focus is on our performance and not on the table."
In the last two matches, the 1-1 draw against VfL Wolfsburg and the 2-1 win at FC Nürnberg, his team, "gained confidence and defended well even if there was a bit of luck involved," said the coach: "But we can do better on the ball. We want to show that this weekend by finding better solutions and space in our build-ups. In addition, we have to remain compact and be smart at the moments we press."
The fact the Leverkusen Women’s team are still unbeaten in six home games this season, he sees as a "nice statistic" but one not worth dwelling on. "At least, it shows how difficult it is to beat us," said de Pauw.
He says TSG, who secured a 2-2 draw in the previous meeting, have "a lot of quality." The coach sounded a warning about the pace of the visitors in counter-attacks. It depends even more on the Werkself implementing their coaches wishes: "We have to make better decisions and be more settled on the ball," said the Dutchman: "We won't be able to dominate the whole game against Hoffenheim but we want to compete well and create good chances."
Melissa Friedrich, who scored her first goal of the season with a header in Nuremberg, is unavailable for the Bayer 04 Women. The central defender suffered a torn ankle ligament in training and is now sidelined for four to six weeks. On the plus side, Sylwia Matysik and Lilla Turányi return to the squad. Janou Level (hip injury) is still in rehab training.
As usual, the match will be broadcast live on the two streaming services DAZN and MagentaSport. Werkself fans can buy tickets in advance HERE at the online ticket shop or from the matchday ticket office on the day of the game.
Bayer 04 Leverkusen continue the journey with Business Club partners Conrad Conrad Profistore Hürth with a 12-month contract extension to the end of the current 2024/24 season. The scope of the partnership has also been extended. The Conrad Profistore in Hürth has been working with the champions of Germany and DFB Pokal winners since January 2024.
Show moreThe sports tribunal of the German Football Association (DFB) has rejected Bayer 04's appeal against a replay of the Women's Bundesliga match at SC Freiburg (3-2). That's the outcome of a hearing at the DFB Campus in Frankfurt on Tuesday. Originally, SC had lodged an appeal against the match result.
Show moreThe Werkself have begun preparations for the home match against Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday 19 October (15:30 CEST). Following a behind-closed-doors session at the start of the week, Xabi Alonso and his team worked in front of fans on Tuesday.
Show moreWerkself players Nordi Mukiele and Niklas Lomb attended the Bayer 04 Football School on Tuesday afternoon. In the first week of the autumn half-term, the new signing and the long-serving goalkeeper answered numerous questions from over 100 young footballers at the kids press conference. After the round of questions, there was of course a group photo as well as an autograph session, where the duo didn't leave a single kit or boot unsigned.
Show moreThe Werkself visit VfL Bochum on Bundesliga Matchday 10. The game kicks off at 15:30 CET at the Vonovia Ruhrstadion on Saturday 9 November. Details on how to get tickets.
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