Ahead of the West clash, the primary aim for the Bayer 04 Women is to deal with the setback of last weekend’s 2-1 defeat at Werder Bremen. “The effects of the game are still evident in our legs. I didn’t think we would have another game this season as difficult to get into as the one against Bremen,” admitted Achim Feifel, whose contract has been extended by three years this week. “We have to put everything into the final run-in that we can. The Bremen match was definitely not a walk in the park, quite the opposite: Teams threatened by relegation throw everything into the mix from mentality through to the will to win to stay in the league. We weren’t prepared for that in Bremen. We can expect the same against SV Meppen and SC Sand.” The coach wants to see “an appropriate reaction” to the recent defeat in Friday’s game against Essen.
Ahead of the clash, SGS Essen, in seventh place, are not too far behind the Werkself Women with a five-point deficit having played one game less. “Essen lost a lot of key players in the summer and they had to put a new team together but they have progressed well over the course of the season. They have young, hungry players who can counter attack quickly, a dangerous attack and a plan of how to play their games,” warned Feifel. “Therefore, I think it will be an open game.”
After a long injury lay-off, Sylwia Matysik will be able to make her comeback against Essen. There is a question mark over Henrietta Csiszár who returned from international duty with Hungary with an ankle problem. Definitely ruled out against SGS are Viktoria Pinther (back problem), Verena Wieder (knee), Lara Marti (calf) and Jessica Wich, who has suffered another knee injury.
For the third time in succession, the Bayer 04 Women’s home game on Friday will be broadcast live on Eurosport. The last two games ended in victory – “Perhaps, we have one or two players who might get a boost when the game is on TV. If that’s the case then hopefully it will work again on Friday,” said the Bayer 04 coach with a smile.
More on the game, the two squads, matchday information and an interview with Gianna Rackow are in the current Rasenreport. HERE is the e-paper.
From special edition jerseys to fan banners, the home game against Mainz 05 was all about the many Bayer 04 fan clubs. Accordingly, a fitting tribute to the long-standing Werkself supporters was not to be missed during half-time in the Bundesliga match. Fernando Carro, CEO, honoured the up to 50-year anniversaries of six fan clubs in front of the coaches' benches at the BayArena.
Show more
There’s lots going on at the BayArena today. The home game against FSV Mainz 05 is all about the numerous Bayer 04 fan clubs, whose birth - the founding of the "1. Fanclub 1976 Leverkusen" - dates back 50 years. A number of fan club representatives will be involved in awards, a banner display and a half-time matchday chat, and the Werkself are set to play in a special white fan club jersey. During half-time, Leverkusen mayor Stefan Hebbel and javelin world champion Steffi Nerius will also talk about the Olympic bid involving Leverkusen. Black and Red fans are advised to get to the stadium in good time today. Matchday news.
Show more
The Werkself host Premier League club Arsenal in the Round of 16 first leg in the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League campaign. The match at the BayArena is on 10/11 March. Read on for information on ticket sales for this fixture.
Show more
The draw for the Round of 16 in the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 was made today, Friday 27 February: Bayer 04 face Premier League leaders Arsenal. Managing director sport Simon Rolfes sees the English team as a "top opponent" and is looking forward to meeting former Werkself players Kai Havertz and Piero Hincapie again.
Show more
After three consecutive victories, FSV Mainz 05 recently suffered setbacks against Borussia Dortmund (0-4) and Hamburger SV (1-1) in the battle to stay up. Nevertheless, the Mainz 05 performance curve has shown a clear upward trend in recent weeks. Their coach and a former Leverkusen player in particular have played a decisive role in this. The lowdown on our next opponents.
Show more
