Back
31.10.2024Women

'Can't wait for the derby': Women in action in Cologne

The derby kicks off Matchday 8 in the Google Pixel Women's Bundesliga: The Werkself are away to next-to-bottom FC Köln at the Franz Kremer Stadium on Friday, 1 November (kick-off: 18.30 CET). Head coach Roberto Pätzold is in optimistic mood ahead of the game despite the late return of several international players.
Sofie Zdebel am Ball

"Over the last few weeks I have realised what the derby means to the fans as well as the context at the club and beyond. We can't wait for the derby and we are really looking forward to a special atmosphere at the stadium," said Pätzold ahead of his first meeting with FC Köln as a coach at Leverkusen: "We will be a little more motivated as is required to go into a derby with the appropriate focus and ambition."

Despite being eleventh in the table, still without a win and with just two points in the season to date, the 45-year-old coach sounded a warning about underestimating the FC Köln Women. "Just looking at the table it seems like we go into the game as the clear favourites," said Pätzold but he stressed: "They have players of very high individual ability. When they bring the quality of their team onto the pitch they can be dangerous for any opponent." Looking at the table does "not play a big role" in preparation for the clash with the team from Cologne coached by Daniel Weber.

Selina Ostermeier im Training

international players return

For the first fixture on Matchday 8, the Werkself coach can again count on his returning international players. A total of nine Bayer 04 Women have been away on international duty and only returned to full training at the Kurtekotten Performance Centre during the week. "That makes preparation for a league game, especially one being played on Friday night, incredibly difficult," said Pätzold: "But over the last few months we have taken on board the way we play so that we can go into the match with positive expectations despite the circumstances." Pätzold is also sure that the experience of winning, which several players have had with their national teams, will "inspire great confidence."

For the derby, Pätzold will have to manage without Julia Mickenhagen, suspended after being sent off in the 3-2 defeat against FC Bayern, Synne Skinnes Hansen (thigh), Melissa Friedrich (rehab training) and Paulina Bartz (illness). There is also a question mark over the injured forward Vanessa Haim. Sofia Cava Marin faces a longer spell on the sidelines after suffering a torn cruciate in the friendly against Feyenoord (2-2).

Tickets available online

Tickets for the match at the Franz Kremer Stadium are available from the FC Köln online shop HERE. The seated area H is allocated to away fans. The matchday ticket office will be open according to availability. The match will be broadcast live by the two streaming providers MagentaSport and DAZN.

Related News

Jonas Hofmann
Bayer 04 - 23.11.2024

Thigh strain: Jonas Hofmann out for rest of year

Jonas Hofmann won't be available again for German double winners Bayer 04 Leverkusen for the remainder of the calendar year.

Show more
BayArena
Bundesliga - 23.11.2024

Matchday News #B04FCH: Final stretch of 2024 begins

Bayer 04 return to action after the international break with Matchday 11 of the Bundesliga as they host 1. FC Heidenheim 1846 at the BayArena today, Saturday 23 November (kick-off 15:30 CET). The Matchday News has everything you need to know ahead of the battle with the UEFA Conference League participants.

Show more
Sofie Zdebel
Women - 22.11.2024

Zdebel's first goal puts Women through to the DFB Pokal quarter-finals

The Bayer 04 Women are in the quarter-finals of the DFB Pokal. The team led by coach Roberto Pätzold's beat Bundesliga rivals Turbine Potsdam 1-0 on Friday night thanks to a first competitive goal scored by Sophie Zdebel. The midfielder netted the only goal of the game on 74 minutes. Twelve days ago, the Werkself beat the Potsdam team 3-0 in the league.

Show more
Die Pressekonferenz vor #B04FCH | 11. Spieltag
Werkself-TV - 22.11.2024

Alonso ahead of #B04FCH: Heidenheim with 'new players but the same soul'

The international break is followed by the run-in to the end of the year: The Werkself entertain FC Heidenheim at the BayArena tomorrow, Saturday 23 November (kick-off: 15.30 CET/live on Sky and on Werkself Radio), on Bundesliga Matchday 11. The fixture against FC Heidenheim is the first of eight games before Christmas. Head coach Xabi Alonso, speaking at the pre-match press conference, talked about the opponents and provided updates on the Werkself squad including on Victor Boniface.

Show more