The script is quickly explained: Bayer 04 dominated the match against the runaway league leaders in the Regional League North East as expected but found it very difficult to create clear-cut goalscoring opportunities. The Werkself did have one good chance just after the half-hour mark when Amine Adli broke into the opposition penalty area from the right and his powerful shot put one of the Jena goalposts through a stability test (31'). The introduction of Alejandro Grimaldo for the second half quickly paid dividends: A beautifully hit a cross from the left from the Spaniard was converted by Jonas Hofmann with a header to secure the winning goal (52'). However, Bayer 04 did not press home the advantage in search of the second goal and they were almost punished in added time when Hamza Muqaj hit the ball over the bar of the goal minded by Matej Kovar from close range (90+3'). The game ended in a 1-0 win for the Werkself. HERE is the match report.
The Werkself knew how to assess their uninspiring win: "None of us went to the limit today or anywhere near it. We made far too many simple mistakes. We have to be honest with ourselves to say that's not good enough," declared Robert Andrich. Goalscorer Jonas Hofmann stated that "as a team we didn't show the dominance that usually makes us stand out." The coach paid a compliment to the opponents: "It was a typical cup tie. Jena did well and fought to the end, it was tough for us," said Xabi Alonso before adding: "We have to work on certain things but we're through to the next round and that’s what counts."
"Leverkusen toiled through to the next round," was the headline in the Rheinische Post and they praised the hosts: "Jena fought with all their might to avoid defeat and they did come close to creating promising situations." The headline in the Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger highlighted the scorer of the only goal: "Jonas Hofmann delivers win for Leverkusen." The report detailing the performance of the Werkself says: "Bayer 04 scarcely created an attack in dangerous areas. Mostly there was a lack of precision with the final pass." The efforts of the DFB Pokal holders are also reflected in the following headlines: "Lacklustre into the second round" (Kölnische Rundschau) and "Bayer trudge on" (kicker).
The scorer of the winning goal Jonas Hofmann could afford to smile – not just because he was named Man of the Match by the DFB. The 32-year-old was particularly happy with a late first in his professional career: "I knew straightaway it was my first headed goal. Of course, I'm happy that it not only works in training but that I have also finally begun to score with my head in a match." Three Leverkusen youth players were able to gain a lot of positive impressions from the DFB Pokal trip to Thüringia even though they did not play: Othniel Raterink, Francis Onyeka and Artem Stepanov from the Bayer 04 U19 team were in the Werkself matchday squad for the first time.
Although it was a very tight match, all the statistics were clearly in favour of last season's double winners. Bayer 04 had 16 to 6 shots on goal, 74% possession and they won 57% of challenges. There was also a clear lead in pass completion with 90% compared with the Jena’s 64%. The Regional League side did dominate in the category of fouls: The hosts committed 17 and Leverkusen six.
The Werkself and their supporters will definitely not be bored over the next few days. Today (Thursday) there is the Champions League draw from 18.00 CEST. That is followed by Bundesliga matchday two with RB Leipzig visiting the BayArena on Saturday, 31 August (kick-off: 18.30 CEST). The weekend is rounded off on Sunday (live broadcast on ZDF from 17.10 CEST) at the Football Museum in Dortmund with the draw for the second round ties in the DFB Pokal with the games to be played on 29 and 30 October.
Late celebrations in Nuremberg: thanks to a last-minute goal from Loreen Bender, Bayer 04 Women made it two wins out of three matches in the Bundesliga. Coach Roberto Pätzold's side deservedly won 1-0 away to promoted team 1. FC Nürnberg on Sunday afternoon. Substitute Bender sealed back-to-back wins with her strike in the third minute of added time in her first appearance of the campaign.
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Werkself-TV shows the highlights of the Bayer 04 women's 1-0 win at 1. FC Nürnberg on the 3rd matchday of the Google Pixel Frauen-Bundesliga 2025/26.
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In their second Bundesliga game under Kasper Hjulmand, Bayer 04 face a tricky task at home to Borussia Mönchengladbach on Sunday 21 September (kick-off 17:30 CEST). The Foals may have endured a poor start to the season, but after Eugen Polanski took over from Gerardo Seoane at the start of the week, the opponents "are a bit unpredictable", according to Hjulmand. The Matchday News has everything you need to know ahead of the meeting at the BayArena.
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Borussia Mönchengladbach are currently experiencing turbulent days. After ten games without a win over the course of this and last season plus five games in a row without scoring a goal, the club parted company with head coach Gerardo Seoane last Monday. On Sunday, 21 September (kick-off: 17:30 CEST/live on DAZN and Werkself Radio), Borussia will be coached by former U23 coach Eugen Polanski in the clash with the Werkself - and the Foals will be looking to turn things around at the BayArena. The lowdown on our next opponents.
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Six days after their first win of the season, the Bayer 04 Women once again face a Bundesliga newcomer. The 3-2 win against Union Berlin should be followed by another three points at FC Nürnberg on Sunday, 21 September (kick-off: 16:00 CEST/live on MagentaSport and DAZN). Coach Roberto Pätzold is aware of his team's role as favourites on matchday 3 and he also has to compensate for the absence of his top striker from last season.
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