"It was a good test for us even though the result is not good of course. We dominated, we played on the front foot and we could have scored more goals as we had enough chances," said Peter Bosz in summing up the game. As was the case a week ago, in the double matchday at Kurtekotten with games against Sittard (0-1) and Eupen (3-4), the Werkself head coach split his squad up into two teams for the matches against Watford and SD Eibar from Spain. The simple explanation: All his players were to get a lot of time on the pitch. "It's important that everybody plays a full game and we don't get any injuries," said the Dutchman.
Playing against the team that finished eleventh in the Premier League last season with temperatures around 30 degrees at the Alois Latini Stadium in Zell am See, his side exerted pressure from the start and endeavoured to dominate proceedings and get forward. However, the opening goal was scored by the increasingly physical English team playing on the break: Will Hughes converted a whipped-in cross from the right side of the box to give Watford a 1-0 lead at the break (35').
Bayer 04 upped the tempo in the second 45 and created a number of chances that unfortunately went unconverted or were saved by the Watford keeper Heurelho Gomes. Instead it was the Hornets who struck for a second time – Andre Gray exploited a misplaced pass from Lukas Hradecky and he doubled the lead on 56 minutes. Towards the end, coach Javi Gracia's side dropped back and only mounted a couple of counter-attacks in the rest of the game. In contrast to the Werkself with new signing Moussa Diaby netting his first goal for the Black and Reds that provided some reward for the Werkself's efforts. Shortly after that, a Kevin Volland goal was ruled out for offside (69'). Above all in the closing stages, Bayer 04 pressed for the equaliser but were unable to find the back of the net. "The way the two goals we conceded came about was not good play by us. We can't afford to give the ball away and we have to be better organised. But the performance, and particularly our tempo, in the second half pleased me more," said Bosz.
Bayer 04: Hradecky – Weiser, Dragovic, Sven Bender, Wendell – Lars Bender, Demirbay – Havertz, Paulinho, Diaby – Volland
“Diaby! Diaby! Diaby!” was the cry around the BayArena as the Werkself danced in front of the north stand following their 4-0 win over Union Berlin. Captain Edmond Tapsoba gave his new (and old) teammate a friendly shove forward to take in the acclaim from the fans. The returning Frenchman was typically reserved in thanking the supporters but was clearly emotional about what was happening.
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The Bundesliga is back at the BayArena this Saturday as Bayer 04 play their first home game of the 2026/27 campaign against Union Berlin (15:30 CEST). Moussa Diaby could make his second debut for the Werkself following his return to Leverkusen – and it would be an ideal fixture for the Frenchman. Here’s all you need to know ahead of the encounter in our matchday news.
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Werkself-TV shows the highlights of the Bayer 04 women's 2-1 at TSG Hoffenheim on the 3rd matchday of the Google Pixel Women's Bundesliga 2026/27.
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The Bundesliga returns to the BayArena for 2026/27 as Bayer 04 host Union Berlin on Saturday (15:30 CEST) looking for their first points of the season after last week’s opening loss at Elversberg. Head coach Carles Martínez spoke ahead of the game about what he’s learned, the team’s newest signings and who could return to the squad.
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