The 30,210 spectators witnessed a focused defensive display from the start by the team under head coach Xabi Alonso. The first chance fell to Amine Adli on ten minutes after a break down the right by teammate Jeremie Frimpong, who has just been selected for the Netherlands World Cup squad. The Werkself then continued to press in search of goals. Jonathan Tah and Co. were rarely put under pressure and success up front came on the half-hour mark: The Alonso team took a deserved lead at 1-0 with a deflected long-range shot from Moussa Diaby. The Black and Reds remained hungry after the restart and again and again created good goalscoring opportunities with a number of fast breaks by Diaby and Frimpong. Jonathan Tah netted to make it 2-0 from a Kerem Demirbay corner eight minutes from full time and thereby secured the third victory within seven days following the wins against Union Berlin (5-0) and in the derby at FC Köln (2:1). The Werkself are now eleventh in the Bundesliga table. HERE is the match report.
Xabi Alonso was pleased at the post-match press conference: "We were solid today. It wasn't the best football but we did work to control the game. After the first goal we defended deeper and were dangerous on the break." At the same time, the Spanish coach chose to look forwards: "We want to keep moving up the table in the second half of the season. Now we have more time to train to achieve that objective. And we'll use it too."
Nadiem Amiri spoke to Werkself TV: "It was tough but we deserved it." And the forward also describe the solid defensive work and the dangerous counter-attacking as crucial for the victory: "We showed what great quality we have as a team. And we are growing together more and more as a team. You could finally see that on the pitch."
Karim Bellarabi is back: The Werkself number 38 played for a few minutes in the home game against Stuttgart for the first time since his knee injury in August. The fans gave their favourite a suitable welcome: There were loud cheers from the stands when he came off the bench on 86 minutes. "I heard that of course. I'm very grateful for the support. That motivates me to give more and more," said Bellarabi after the final whistle.
The Werkself had a total of twelve shots on the VfB goal with the visitors replying with seven. And the Alonso team were in front in duels won with 52%. It was different with possession: VfB had the edge here with 56%. Interesting for stats fans: Moussa Diaby has been involved in eight goals (six goals, two assists) in seven Bundesliga matches under coach Xabi Alonso – the highest number in the Bundesliga over that timespan.
The headline in the Welt am Sonntag reads "Diaby runs rings round Stuttgart," and the Express says: "Diaby causes Alonso to celebrate." The Rheinische Post takes a similar view and awards top marks to the Werkself number 19. The explanation: "Whenever Bayer were dangerous, it was the Frenchman who was involved in every action. The lightning fast winger scored the opening goal with a bit of luck as Waldemar Anton deflected the shot but the real achievement was the route to the position to shoot where he left four Stuttgart players standing. And he was a constant threat to the visitors’ defence in the second half."
This afternoon, 13 November, sees the Werkself fly from Frankfurt am Main to the USA. 17 players are on the #Bayer04USATour. The Black and Reds will play a friendly in St Louis in Missouri against the newly formed team in the Major League Soccer (MLS) St. Louis CITY Soccer Club and at the same time provide the opening event at the brand new CITYPARK Stadium (kick-off: 16 November 19.00 local time/02.00 CET 17 November). During the stay the Werkself will also be involved in events with Bayer AG employees and also get involved in community projects as well as a cultural programme.
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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