In a high-pace and intensive start, the Bayer 04 keeper Anna Wellmann, this time preferred to Anna Klink, faced the first tricky situation on eight minutes: Zsanett Jakabfi was clean through but failed to find the target (7'). Wolfsburg, with six changes to the side that beat Lilleström in the Champions League in the week, pressed for the early goal as expected. After another effort from Jakabfi (15'), which Wellmann was able to parry, the hosts took the lead: A cross into the box from Alexandra Popp was turned into the net by Kathrin Hendrich for the opener on 20 minutes.
The Feifel team refused to be put off course by going behind and they stayed in the game. "We defended with passion, great mentality and plenty of hard work," the head coach said in praise of his players. The Werkself Women grew stronger towards the end of the first half and had more and more goalmouth action. A fine move ended with a shot from Dora Zeller from 14 yards out (39') missing the target and Mina Tanaka had a clear sight of goal in added time. But the VfL keeper Katarzyna Kiedrzynek was able to save the shot from Leverkusen's winter signing from Japan.
The visitors started the second half just one goal down. As in the start of the first 45, the defence including returnee Nina Brüggemann kept busy initially. Experienced VfL player Jakabfi hit the bar with the first opportunity on goal (48') and, shortly after that, Rebecca Blomqvist put a shot over the Leverkusen net (51').
As in the first half, Leverkusen were again able to get back into the game. This time Henrietta Csiszar had the chance to level but the Wolfsburg goalkeeper pulled off an impressive save to deny her in a one-on-one on 71 minutes. At the other end, Lilla Turanyi twice made goal-line clearances before the second goal came. The lightning quick Ewa Pajor set up Fridolina Rolfö in a fast attack and the Swede gave Wellmann no chance with her shot (75').
The Bayer 04 Women gave their all right up to the final whistle but the visitors from the Rhineland were unable to find the back of the net. "We were closer to it than we have been recently." Said Feifel. "We should have converted one of the two or three good opportunities." Bayer 04 keeper Wellmann backed up the coach: "We could have got more out of the game today if we'd have been more compact in one or the other situations and had taken our chances up front."
While the reigning champions from Wolfsburg, in second place on 43 points, remain the main challengers to league leaders Bayern Munich (48 points), the Werkself Women are now fifth on 23 points. "We have to continue playing with this stability and then we'll get our rewards," was the message from the coach after the game at the champions.
Next weekend brings a rearranged game from matchday 13 for the Black and Reds against bottom of the table MSV Duisburg. The MSV Women are the only team in the FLYERALARM Women's Bundesliga still without a win having just lost 2-1 against SC Freiburg.
Match stats:
VfL Wolfsburg: Kiedrzynek – Hendrich, Doorsoun, Janssen, Rauch (Engen 85') – Oberdorf, Popp – Blomqvist (Wolter 78'), Huth (Wedemeyer 85'), Rolfö (Saevik 78') – Jakabfi (Pajor 59')
Bayer 04: Wellmann – Kerschowski, Brüggemann (Friedrich 65'), Turanyi, Vinken, Marti – Csiszar, Nikolic, Kögel, Zeller - Tanaka (Wieder 70')
Goals: 1-0 Hendrich (20’), 2-0 Rolfö (75’)
Booked: Oberdorf, Rauch – Nikolic, Zeller
Referee: Franziska Wildfeuer (Lübeck)
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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