The Werkself had to play in the capital without Moussa Diaby, who tested positive for Covid-19 the day before the match. His place on the right wing was taken by Leon Bailey. Florian Wirtz, who was called up to the Germany senior squad for the first time this week, returned to the starting eleven in place of Nadiem Amiri in midfield.
The Werkself were caught cold a few minutes after the kick-off. A pass from Dodi Lukebakio found Zeefuik in the penalty area and he struck the ball perfectly with an unstoppable shot for Lennart Grill that went into the net off the inside of the post – an extremely attractive strike but also an extremely unlucky start for Bayer 04 (4'). The Werkself needed some time to get into the game after this false start with Patrik Schick having a chance with a header from a Kerem Demirbay free kick (11'). The Czech then had a somewhat better chance from an excellent cross from Jeremie Frimpong but he just missed out (14').
Bayer 04 came into the game during this phase and increasingly applied pressure on the Hertha goal. A number of dangerous crosses flew into the hosts' penalty area but just failed to find their target and the net shot from a Demirbay was a long-range effort (22'). The Werkself were on top but Hertha scored the goals. A smart counter-attack down the right flank ended with Cunha converting a diagonal ball from Lukebakio with the second serious attack from the Berlin side ending with the second goal (26').
That efficiency summed up the big difference between the two sides: While Schick and Edmond Tapsoba were unable to provide the finish in the six-yard box from a whipped-in Bailey corner (30'), the hosts successfully rounded off their third attack of the game: Jonathan Tah initially blocked an effort from Cordoba but his follow-up shot went through the legs of Grill to make it 3-0 (33'). Although Wendell (37') and Demirbay (39') then had two chances: It was a first half to forget for Bayer 04.
Peter Bosz reacted by bringing on Amiri and Lucas Alario for Demirbay and Demarai Gray. The Werkself briefly played with a 4-4-2 system and then a 3-5-2 formation. However, the first double chance of the second half fell to the Berlin team with Grill keeping out Cordoba and Cunha (50'). Then Lukebakio scored a fourth goal for the hosts but VAR intervened to rightly rule it out due to a handball by Cordoba in the build-up (52').
The Werkself then immediately had a great chance to get back into the game with an excellent attack and great lay-off by Wirtz to Schick but his close-range shot was saved by the Hertha keeper Rune Jarstein (54'). The Berliners then reverted to a 5-3-2 formation that produced a compact defence and again and again dangerous counter-attacks: Grill pulled off excellent saves in a one-on-one with Cunha and seconds later with a powerful shot from Lukebakio (65').
Bayer 04 were unable to find their way through the Hertha defence with a lack of penetration in the final third – and also by narrow margins with Schick just failing to connect with a Wirtz cross (72'). Peter Bosz tried everything and he brought on another attacker in the shape of Karim Bellarabi for Frimpong with nearly the whole of the team on the pitch designed to attack. Of course, that increasingly allowed Hertha Berlin to play on the break with Cunha hitting a low shot just wide (75').
The Werkself were running out of time – and there was not much more than another header from the lively but unlucky Schick (80') with Hertha having the last opportunity of the game from substitute Krzysztof Piatek (88').
Bayer 04 now go into the international break in sixth place. The next game is at home to bottom side Schalke 04 at the BayArena with the match on Saturday 3 April kicking off at 15.30 CEST.
Match stats:
Hertha Berlin: Jarstein - Klünter, Stark, Dardai (Torunarigha 82') - Zeefuik, Tousart, Guendouzi, Mittelstädt (Netz 82') - Cunha (Piatek 82') - Lukebakio (Radonjic 72'), Cordoba (Ascacibar 63')
Bayer 04: Grill – Frimpong (Bellarabi 72'), Tah, Tapsoba, Wendell – Wirtz, Aránguiz, Demirbay (Amiri 46') – Bailey, Schick, Gray (Alario 46’)
Goals: 1-0 Zeefuik (4’), 2-0 Cunha (26’), 3-0 Cordoba (33’)
Booked: Bailey, Amiri
Referee: Dr. Felix Brych (Munich)
Werkself-TV shows the highlights of Bayer 04 Women's 0-2 loss at 1. FC Nürnberg on Matchday 8 of the 2026/27 Google Pixel Women's Bundesliga.
Show more
After nine points from their first three away matches of the 2026/27 season, the Bayer 04 Women suffered their first away defeat on Sunday afternoon. The 2-0 defeat away to FC Nürnberg, who were winless before today, represented a setback for coach Roberto Pätzold’s team in the race for the top spots in the Google Pixel Women’s Bundesliga. Fany Pronietz scored both goals (62’, 85’) for the home side.
Show more
The Werkself still have a score to settle with TSG Hoffenheim: Bayer 04 lost both matches against the Kraichgau side last term – after the Black and Reds had won all the previous five encounters. Leverkusen are currently on a roll and looking to kick off a new winning streak against TSG in Sinsheim on Sunday 25 October (kick-off: 15:30 CET), and Patrik Schick is keen to continue his current run of form. However, it will not be easy, as coach Christian Ilzer’s team have also gained confidence recently. Today’s matchday news.
Show more
A look at the Google Pixel Women's Bundesliga table ahead of the Werkself's clash at 1. FC Nürnberg leaves little discussion: Bayer 04 Women go into Sunday's meeting at the Max-Morlock-Stadion (16:00 CEST) as clear favourites. Coach Roberto Pätzold explains what's needed for the fourth-placed team against the second-from-bottom in order to make it four wins from four away matches this season.
Show more
Following the start of construction on the Talent House in mid-August, an important staffing decision has been made: Michelle Böhmke will join the project team on 1 January 2027 and take over as director when the centre opens, which is planned for summer 2027. The 36-year-old former SGS Essen player previously worked, amongst other roles, as educational director and academy school head at Hertha Berlin.
Show more
