Csiszar nets brace in 2-1 win against Frankfurt

After a run of four defeats, the team coached  by Verena Hagedorn was finally able to celebrate a long-awaited win. And the three points were incredibly important both in terms of maintaining a mid-table position and not losing contact with the teams at the top. In addition to the long-term absentees, Hagedorn had to manage without Saskia Meier (torn muscle in last game) and Matea Bosnjak (torn calf) and was forced to include five players from the second team in her squad.

EARLY LEAD

The Bayer 04 Women made a bright start against the FFC Frankfurt Reserves. An early goal from Henrietta Csiszar on five minutes boosted the confidence of the team in the opening stages. A short corner ended with Csiszar on the ball outside the box and she produced a smart finish to put the ball in the back of the opposition net. "The opponents kept it tight up front and applied a lot of pressure," said the coach. "There wasn't much space but we did well at the start."

There were a number of uncertain moments against a strong Frankfurt side. "Unfortunately, we let Frankfurt have a number of chances on goal," admitted Hagedorn. FFC striker Nadine Anstatt twice threatened the Leverkusen goal in two minutes but the Bayer 04 keeper Anna Klink saved to protect the lead. She was then left helpless just before half-time. "The opponent started an attack from the back and our defence was too exposed," explained Hagedorn. And Anstatt was left with a tap-in from a square ball from team-mate Valeria Perri to level at 1-1 on 44 minutes.

"TEAM FOUGHT WELL"

The Black and Reds continued to battle for the three points and a chance  came to restore the lead on 76 minutes. It was another set piece and Csiszar was on the right spot. A free kick from Jessica Wich from just behind the the halfway line was turned into the opposition net at the far post by Csiszar – 2-1. The Bayer 04 Women were able to hold on to the lead in spite of Frankfurt pressing hard.

"Henrietta had a really good game today," declared the coach. "But the the others and the girls from the second team fought well. I'm proud of the team." The win keeps the Bayer 04 Women in fifth place and in touch with the teams above: just one point behind FFC Frankfurt and three to third-placed Hoffenheim.

"Step-BY-STEP"

"The points were very important. Wetzlar, who also won today, could have gone above us but we're still ahead of them. And we've moved further ahead of Sindelfingen after they drew. The win puts us back in touch with the leaders," said Hagedorn. "But we're taking it step-by-step – slow but sure. We want to keep working well in the next few weeks, keep moving up the table and establish ourselves there."

TSV Schott Mainz visit Kurtekotten next Sunday in a 14.00 CET kick-off. Mainz are currently eighth in the table on seven points but have played one more game. 

Match stats:

FFC Frankfurt II: Bösl - Weber, Ostermeier, Perri, Schneider - May, Avant, Schulze-Solano, Anstatt (Artin 72') - Martinez (Czaplicki 28'), Berg (Engel 83')

Bayer 04: Klink - Heß, Kempe, Barth, Reger - Finestra, Csiszar, Wich, Reger, Heinrichs (Plastwich 69.') - Uebach, Munzert (Bokanovic 46')

Goals: 0-1 Csiszar (5'), 1-1 Anstatt (44'), 1-2 Csiszar (76')

Booked: Weber / Wich, Kempe, May
Referee: Vanessa Schleicher (Alsheim)
Attendance: 60