Looking back at last term, there does not appear to be a favourite in this fixture: The hosts won the first meeting in Potsdam 2-0 and the second game saw the Black and Reds win 4-2. Given the latest performance of his team in the narrow 2-1 defeat against SGS Essen, the Bayer 04 head coach Achim Feifel sees the opponents as slight favourites: "They are the main competitors for the two top teams from Munich and Wolfsburg. We're just taking it game by game and we'll see what comes out in the end."
The 57-year-old has focused on basics in this week's training. Feifel explained the reasons: "From when the referee starts the game, everybody has to give 100% for 90 minutes. Unfortunately, that wasn't always the case against Essen . We have to rediscover the necessary aggression and be organised in defence."
As in the game against Essen, long-term injuries Julia Pollak, Jessica Wich and Nina Brüggemann are still sidelined. The captain Kristin Kögel likewise. "She's got problems with her MCL," said Feifel. There is still a question mark over the possible appearance of the Swiss player Lara Marti who, like the above-mentioned trio, also missed out against SGS. Otherwise, the head coach has all the other players available.
Bayer 04 are again offering tickets at the reduced single prize of five euros each for the Essen game. Children under the age of five go in free (with lap ticket). 654 tickets are available. All the seats at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium can be used. There are no standing tickets.
Matchday tickets are available via phone from the Bayer 04 Service Centre on 0049 (0) 214 5000 1904 (Payment methods: direct debit or credit card.) Tickets will be sent out exclusively via email (print@home and eTicket). Tickets are not valid for use on the local transport system. The matchday ticket office opens one hour before kick-off (18.15 CEST). Cash sales only.
Anybody unable to attend the game at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium on Friday night can watch the Bayer 04 Women's game against Potsdam live. MagentaSport has the broadcasting rights to all Women's Bundesliga matches. The match is on the pay-TV service from 19.15 CEST.
In glorious sunshine and temperatures of around 30 degrees Celsius, the Bayer 04 Women have begun their preparations for the new season. With a relaxed first session at the Kurtekotten training centre, coach Roberto Pätzold’s team became the first Bundesliga side to resume training after a 37-day break.
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Black and Red stand out. Under the slogan ‘Diversity under the Cross’, Bayer 04 took part in Pride on the Rhine at the weekend alongside the queer fan club “Bayer 04 Junxx”. The club mascot, Brian the Lion, and several members of staff were also in attendance, championing diversity and solidarity.
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Centre-back Melissa Friedrich is set to remain at Bayer 04 for another year. The longest-serving player in the squad, who joined the club in 2016, has extended her contract to 2027.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have signed Portugal U21 international Afonso Moreira. The 21-year-old winger joins the club from French top-flight side Olympique Lyon on a contract to 30 June 2031. In France last year, the left-winger made 37 appearances in Ligue 1, the Coupe de France and the UEFA Europa League, scoring a total of eight goals and providing eleven assists.
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