The roles ahead of the match between the team in fourth and the team at the bottom the table, who drew 0-0 against fellow promoted Carl Zeiss Jena on the last matchday to pick up their first point of the season, are clearly defined. "They kept a clean sheet for the first time and that will give them a boost," said Pätzold: "We are primarily focusing on ourselves, looking to control the ball and we will put in a lot of effort to open up space and play when we are in possession." But that will not be enough on its own: "We will be patient and have to pack the penalty area," he said: "So we can create lots of goalscoring opportunities and hopefully be clinical in taking them."
By coincidence, the Werkself will play Turbine Potsdam at the same venue in the DFB Pokal Round of 16 twelve days after the Bundesliga fixture. In preparation for Sunday, the second meeting on Friday, 22 November (kick-off: 18.00 CET, tickets available HERE), is irrelevant to Pätzold. "A lot can happen up to the Pokal game. Our focus is exclusively on Sunday," said the 45-year-old: "Of course, we will be able to reuse a lot in the analysis ahead of the Pokal game."
Pätzold will be able to coach his team from the dugout in the DFB Pokal tie. After being sent off in added time in the derby at FC Köln (2-1) the coach will have to watch Bundesliga game from the stands. But that should not change the approach to the game. "Above all else, it is down to the players and our influence from the sidelines is limited. So not much will change in our play," he declared: "I was fully involved in training this week and I will certainly lead the pre-match team meeting. We have a big team of coaches who will be actively involved in coaching at the match. So we don't pay too much attention to that issue and I have a lot of confidence in the players and my colleagues."
The previous performances give Pätzold reason enough for that belief. "We've had a really good Hinrunde and we want to carry on picking up as many points as possible. As up to now, we will invest a lot of effort in that," he said: "We've never set ourselves a target of a specific number of points. We go into matches with ambition, and to play our game against every opponent on the pitch." Knowing that the current position in the table is "a snapshot", the Berliner is a long way from being satisfied: "We’ve had even more potential in lots of games and our challenge is to be even better and more consistent."
In addition to the long-term injury to Sofia Cava Marin (torn cruciate), Synne Skinnes Hansen (thigh injury) and Vanessa Haim (back problem) are still sidelined. Melissa Friedrich and Paulina Bartz (both now in rehab training) are still not an option for the squad.
Tickets for the match at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium are available in advance HERE at the online shop and from the matchday ticket office on the day of the game. The two streaming services MagentaSport and DAZN are broadcasting the game live.
Twelve Werkself players have been selected for their national teams in the final international break of the year, with the Leverkusen's international players competing in the final group matches in the UEFA Nations League, in qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup or the Africa Cup of Nations. We round up all the results involving Bayer 04 players here.
Show moreFive players in the Bayer 04 Women squad have been selected for the Germany U23s for two international fixtures. That was announced by the German Football Association (DFB) on Tuesday afternoon.
Show moreBayer 04’s Bundesliga game at home to St. Pauli on Saturday, 7 December will be the next district matchday of the season, with the district of Hitdorf being the stage for numerous activities in the week building up to the fixture against the promoted side.
Show moreThe Bayer 04 Fanzone opens in two days time on Wednesday, 20 November in the South Stand at the BayArena. Bayer 04 fans will be able to enjoy a state-of-the-art, interactive shopping and fan experience covering more than 700 square metres. Black and Reds supporters are warmly welcome to spend an exciting day in this brand-new area at the stadium.
Show moreIt is already a fact that the Bayer 04 Women have had their best Hinrunde ever. The Werkself are fourth in the Google Pixel Women's Bundesliga on 23 points two behind the top team. Tickets are now on sale for the final games of the year. The tickets for the last two home matches in 2024 at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium are available now. First up on Friday, 6 December (kick-off: 18.30 CET) are last season's runners-up VfL Wolfsburg and that is followed by the home game at the start of the Rückrunde against SC Freiburg on Saturday, 14 December (12.00 CET).
Show more