The group involved in training at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium on Wednesday included Jonathan Tah, Robert Andrich (both Germany), Alejandro Grimaldo, Aleix Garcia (both Spain), Jeremie Frimpong (Netherlands) and keeper Lukas Hradecky (Finland). While Germany and Spain qualified for the semi-finals in the UEFA Nations League, Frimpong went out at the quarter-final stage with the Oranje. Hradecky played two games for Finland in the World Cup qualifiers (interntaional updates).
After a training session at the start of the week, Nordi Mukiele fielded questions from journalists. The 27-year-old said looking forward to the game against Bochum: "There's great anticipation but we are also on our toes. We recently saw what they are capable of in Munich (3-2 win at FC Bayern, ed.).” Looking back at the last few days, the Frenchman added: "The win in Stuttgart, the incredible comeback has given us a lot for the rest of the season. We have been able to recover somewhat during the international break so that we can go into the training this week with power and energy. We want to prepare as best as possible and we definitely want to win with our fans at our stadium on Friday."
His personal development under the Cross since his loan move from Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2024 was also of interest to the media. Mukiele, who started seven of the last eleven league matches, said: "Perhaps my start wasn't the best. But I've always worked hard and never lost my focus. In addition, the coaches, my teammates and the staff here have really helped me and always supported me. Now I want to give my all again with the team and win as many games as possible."
The Werkself will be kept busy after the home game against VfL Bochum. Third division Arminia Bielefeld are the opponents in the DFB Pokal semi-final on Tuesday, 1 April (kick-off: 20:45 CEST). The following Saturday brings a Bundesliga away fixture at FC Heidenheim on Saturday, 5 April with the kick-off at 15:30 CEST. Tickets are available for the away section HERE.
Bayer 04 have signed left-back Carolin Simon from champions Bayern Munich for the coming season. The 33-year-old former Germany international, who played for Leverkusen from 2013 to 2016, has signed a contract to 30 June 2028.
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Bayer 04 Women have strengthened for the coming season with the signing of Lobke Loone. The 23-year-old Dutch striker joins from Utrecht on a contract until 30 June 2028.
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The Werkself returned from the near one-month break in the Google Pixel Women's Bundesliga with a convincing victory at home. Roberto Pätzold's side beat SC Freiburg 4-1 on Sunday afternoon, with goals from Katharina Piljic, Estrella Merino Gonzalez, Cornelia Kramer and Carlotta Wamser ensuring a 13th win of the season at the Ulrich-Haberland-Stadion. The Black and Reds, who are now on 40 points, move up to fourth place at least overnight.
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The fifth consecutive derby win over 1. FC Köln was a hugely significant one in terms of the battle for the UEFA Champions League places. Goalkeeper Janis Blaswich, speaking for the whole team, dedicated the 2-1 victory in the cathedral city to the travelling support: "I'm especially happy about this victory for our fans!" Get the rest of the reaction from those involved and the media, as well as some impressive stats on two-goal hero Patrik Schick and a look at the all-time Bundesliga table, in the Werkself Review.
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