A fast, physical and tough opening promised an exciting encounter at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium on Friday night. The first chance for Leverkusen came through Isabel Kerschowski with a cross from the right flank – Sandra Maria Jessen failed to connect properly and her effort hit the side netting. Duisburg responded immediately when Antonia-Johanna Halverkamps was through on goal in a counter-attack but the ball again ended up in the side netting.
With the next goalscoring opportunity, the new captain Jessica Wich won out in a challenge with two Duisburg players but was only able to shoot with her weaker left foot and her effort went wide of the target. Goalkeeper Anna Klink pulled off a reflex save on 20 minutes to deny Duisburg’s Alina Angerer. After a hectic phase – Leverkusen were more organised in their build-up play, Duisburg proved aggressive in challenges – and then the Feifel team succeeded in settling down and taking more control of the game. There were no clear chances on goal before half-time.
Patience was also at a premium at the start of the second half. The MSV women continued to break up the Werkself build-up play. Achim Feifel reacted on 57 minutes with a triple substitution – and that paid off: Henrietta Csiszár, Milena Nikolic and Juliane Wirtz replaced Dorá Zeller, Henrike Sahlmann and Viktoria Pinther. Bayer 04 then took control of the game. Ivana Rudelic was on the verge of opening the scoring on 65 minutes but she shot just wide of the target. The Black and Reds were more dominant, looked to find the gaps and took more risks; MSV were focussed on defending.
Feifel made the fourth change on 86 minutes bringing on Gianna Rackow in place of Rudelic and three minutes later she produced an assist. Another substitute Nikolic received the ball in a one-two, beat two opponents before putting the ball into the back of the net from close range for a deserved lead. Juliane Wirtz sealed the win in added time when she converted a long ball from Csiszár in the penalty area to make it 2-0.
Head coach Achim Feifel on the match: “In the first half, we didn’t get our tactics right as we planned and we made too many individual mistakes. In the second half, we got forward better, showed more commitment and the technical solutions were better. We really deserved the win in the second half.” And Isabel Kerschowski was also happy after full time: “We’ve had a great start to the season. Six points from the first two games – it couldn’t be better.”
Bayer 04 are top of the table on six points, at least overnight. The FLYERALARM Women’s Bundesliga now takes a break due to the first international fixtures in the new season. The Werkself Women’s team are back in action away to Turbine Potsdam on Sunday, 27 September.
Match stats:
Bayer 04: Klink – Sahlmann (Wirtz 57’), Brüggemann, Turanyi, Jessen – Kerschowski, Matysik, Wich, Zeller (Csiszár 57’) – Rudelic (Rackow 86’), Pinther (Nikolic 57’)
MSV Duisburg: Kämper – Hochstein, Debitzki, Hilbrands, O'Riordan – Zielinski, Günster – Morina, Hochstein, Halverkamps – Angerer (Lange 73’)
Goals: 1-0 Nikolic (89’), 2-0 Wirtz (90+1’)
Booked: - / Halverkamps
Referee: Kathrin Heimann (Gladbeck)
A simple approach to sport with games, fun and a highlight at the end: Bayer 04 organised a very special training session for 40 participants aged between six and 27 in cooperation with the Football Association of the Middle Rhine (FVM). At the day of action for women and girls with disabilities at the Kurtekotten Performance Centre, many of the participants gained their first experience of football.
Show more
On Saturday, 28 March, the lights will go out again at the BayArena from 20:30 pm to 21:30. As in previous years, Bayer 04 once again take part in the WWF Earth Hour campaign under the motto "We're switching off" as the club wants to set a collective example for more climate and environmental protection together with people, cities and companies around the world.
Show more
Bayer 04 Leverkusen are bringing back Kerim Alajbegovic, who joined Red Bull Salzburg in the summer of 2025. The Bundesliga club activated the buy-back option in the contract with the Bosnia international, who has enjoyed great success at the Austrian top-flight club since the start of the current season. Alajbegovic moved to Salzburg from the Leverkusen U19s last year. The 1.86-metre forward has signed a five-year contract at Leverkusen with a start date of 1 July 2026.
Show more
Less than a year ago, Kerim Alajbegovic moved from the Bayer 04 U19s to Austrian top-flight club FC Red Bull Salzburg. The forward’s development since then has been impressive. In 36 matches, including in the UEFA Europa League, the 18-year-old has scored 14 goals. In the summer, Alajbegovic, now a Bosnia international, will return to Leverkusen - and thus not only achieve the next milestone still early in his career, but also enrich the Werkself squad with his footballing versatility and determination.
Show more
Bayer 04 Leverkusen have extended the contract with forward Nathan Tella ahead of schedule. The versatile 26-year-old, who can be deployed as a right winger, false nine or left winger, has penned a new contract to 30 June 2031. Tella joined the Werkself from Championship club Southampton in 2023. His previous contract ran to the summer of 2028.
Show more
