Bayer 04 Women end Hinrunde with a six-pointer in Bremen

"We are very happy to get going again. In the weeks before a matchday the focus is always sharper and that creates a positive intensity," said head coach Robert de Pauw. The Dutchman is aware of the significance of the game. "You can talk about it being a six-pointer," he said. Leverkusen on 16 points are exactly three ahead of Werder Bremen.

Not just in terms of the points return from the first ten games, de Pauw has great respect for the opponents. "Werder have developed really well since last season. With our former player Juli Wirtz, Sophie Weidauer, Nina Lührßen and Livia Peng they have a lot of quality and are particularly dangerous at set-pieces," he declared: "They will show lots of passion and determination in challenges to counter our quality on the pitch." That produces a clear demand of his players: "We have to show the same commitment, remain calm on the ball and take our chances. I have a lot of players in the team who are always capable of scoring."

The fact that everything has not gone to plan in recent weeks should no longer be an issue at the start of the game on Friday night. "Because of the frost there have been a number of last-minute changes that have disturbed our build-up. But we are happy to have had two friendlies (3-2 twice against RSC Anderlecht and Fortuna Sittard, ed.) plus an internal friendly to be able to see all the players," said the coach who highlights, "showing more variation in our play."

four out, one in

There have also been a number of changes in terms of personnel. The two Swiss players Amira Arfaoui (to FC Nürnberg) and Lara Marti (RB Leipzig) plus Eva van Deursen (SD Eibar) and Mia Eickmann (Borussia Mönchengladbach) have left the club. "At the end of the year when nearly everybody was fit, you could see that the squad was very big," said de Pauw: "That made it difficult to give everybody enough time on the pitch to be honest. Amira, Lara, Eva and Mia had good offers that open up the chance of more games. We didn't want to deny them that opportunity." At the same time, he also sees an opportunity for the club: "The togetherness in a team is even closer with a smaller squad and many have the chance of playing more than before."

Conversely, the Norwegian midfielder Julie Jorde has arrived in Leverkusen. The 19-year-old impressed in training immediately. "Julie can read the game really well, has a strong passing game and is good at finishing," said de Pauw: "She demonstrated that with a wonderful goal in the friendly against Sittard. We would be happy to see more of her great ability." At the same time, the head coach declared: "She has to get used to the high intensity in the Bundesliga compared to the Norwegian league but that's completely normal."

question mark over Senß

Left-back Janou Levels is still unavailable due to persistent hip problems with Cecilie Johansen and Clara Fröhlich (both ill) also unable to travel to Bremen. There is also a question mark over the captain Elisa Senß due to illness.

Fans wanting to follow the Bayer 04 Women to Bremen can apply in advance for tickets online HERE.