Women pick up crucial points in 3-1 derby win

The Leverkusen Women pressed from the start and had the first chance of the game: Henrietta Csiszár hit a shot from a cleared free kick but the effort went wide of the right-hand post (7'). Ten minutes later, the Black and Reds were rewarded for their fine start with the lead: Milena Nikolic put Rudelic through and she found the back of the net with a low drive to make it 1-0 (17'). And there was more to come: A few minutes later the Croatia international was in the right spot again: The Bayer 04 striker volleyed a cross from the right into the visitors’ net – 2-0 (21'). Bayer 04 were in control of the game in the first half and prevented FC Köln having any decent chances – until added time: A shot from Johanna Tietge was blocked but Eunice Beckmann converted to make it 2-1 (45+1').

"We controlled the opposition in the first half and didn’t give anything away. We produced an impressive performance on the pitch and then conceded a goal with the first chance for FC Köln. Of course, that's annoying because we set out in the first half not to have to defend a 2-1 lead but instead to continue to press forward," said Feifel in summing up the first half.

"Completely convincing performance"

Bayer 04 refused to be shaken by the goal conceded late in the first half and came out of the changing room with great determination: Rudelic dribbled through to the byline and wanted to hit a low cross into the box but the Köln player Vanessa Zilligen stuck out a foot and turned the ball into her own net – 3-1 (53'). The attacking efforts from FC Köln failed to pose a threat and, instead, Dora Zeller had the chance of 1/4 a fourth goal for Leverkusen: From a perfect cross, she controlled the ball in the box and shot but the keeper Elvira Herzog was able to make the save (62'). Shortly after that, Rudelic dribbled from our own half up to the FC Köln penalty area but then put her shot wide of the net (73'). The team from Cologne only once threatened the goal minded by Anna Klink but the shot from Theresa Gosch missed the target completely (80').

"That was a completely convincing performance today. As the coach, I was particularly pleased we dealt well with the goal after the break and that we approached the second half with renewed courage and attacking desire. It was an impressive performance by my team," said Feifel describing his team's display.

Survival almost secured

Thanks to the win, the Werkself Women are almost assured of staying up: Bayer 04 moved up to ninth in the table and now have a three-point lead over MSV Duisburg in tenth place and FC Köln in the first relegation spot. Leverkusen have a six-goal better goal difference than MSV Duisburg and 15 better than FC Köln

The Black and Reds are away to VfL Wolfsburg in the last game of the season on Sunday. The kick-off at the AOK Stadium is at 14.00 CET.

Match stats:

Bayer 04: Klink – Vinken, Barth, Wirtz, Jessen – Wich (Reger 79'), Csiszar, Zeller, Uebach (Kerschowski 90') – Rudelic (Machtens 90+1'), Nikolic
FC Köln: Herzog – Horvat (Schraa 73'), Calo, Nietgen, Rinast – Gosch, Meßmer (Hild 60'), Barrett, Tietge (Linden 82') – Kohr (Giraud 60'), Beckmann
Goals: 1-0 Rudelic (17’), 2-0 Rudelic (21’), 2-1 Beckmann (45+1’), 3-1 Zilligen (o.g. 53’)
Booked: - / Gosch, Tietge
Referee: Franziska Wildfeuer (Lübeck)