De Pauw’s approach in his penultimate home game as Bayer 04 coach is clear. “They’ve planned a party. We’ve got something against that. Decisive games like this aren’t easy because there’s a special pressure,” said the Dutchman, also adding with a grin: “It’d also be nicer for them to secure the title at home.” Memories of 20 May 2023 are providing encouragement for him and his players: “Last year we delayed the title celebrations. We believe we can do it again.”
The fact that Bayern left no doubt in who would win as they prevailed 3-0 in the reverse fixture, when de Pauw was ill and his assistant Jessie van den Broek stepped in, does not unsettle the Dutchman. “We didn’t do that bad that day. Bayern just allowed so little after the first goal. But still, there were moments where we came back. Unfortunately, we weren’t clinical, which you need against a top team like them.” He’s also aware: “We won’t get many chances this time either.”
The quality of the champions-elect is indisputable. Alexander Straus’s team have won their last 11 competitive fixtures in a row and haven’t lost since 20 December in the UEFA Women’s Champions League away at Ajax (1-0). In the Bundesliga, the Munich team are still unbeaten with 16 wins and three draws. “They’re on an excellent run and in a flow. As well as their class in open play, there’s also their strength at set pieces,” de Pauw said in recognition.
Nevertheless, Bayer 04 (28 points) want to keep pace with Essen (29) in the race for fifth place. The 1-0 loss at promoted RB Leipzig should just be a small blip. “We only allowed one chance there, and it resulted in a goal. As well as the clinicalness required, we also lacked some luck,” de Pauw stated. He’s expecting a different sort of game against the confident league leaders. “Bayern will apply pressure early, but it means we’ll get space. We trust in our defence, want to stay in the game as long as possible and show our own quality from set pieces.”
Synne Skinnes Hansen is back in the squad following her thigh issue. Charlotte Voll (shoulder) and Melissa Friedrich (ankle) are still out. There are still tickets available to buy online or on the gate.
A week after the disappointing DFB Pokal exit at Hamburger SV, the Bayer 04 Women return to league action. In a home match against SGS Essen on Saturday, 22 November (kick-off: 14:00 CET at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium), coach Roberto Pätzold's team will be fighting to maintain a good position in the chasing pack in the Google Pixel Women's Bundesliga.
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Tickets are on sale for the last two Bayer 04 Women's team home games in 2025. Fans can now purchase tickets for the matches at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium against RB Leipzig and the final fixture of the year in the Rückrunde opener against German champions Bayern Munich. The latest information at a glance.
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Eliminated ahead of the offline round: On Tuesday, 18 November, the Leverkusen console pros played the two remaining matches in the online preliminary round of showdown two. After picking up six points from the first four games last week, the #B04eSports team bagged another three in the two final duels - but it wasn't enough. The Leverkusen team missed out on a place in the offline knockout round, which will take place in this second showdown on 23 November in Frankfurt am Main.
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Several Bayer 04 players are currently away with their respective national teams in the final international break of 2025, with most of them involved in qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico. Our blog will keep you up to date on the matches involving the Werkself.
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The VBL Club Championship by WOW 2025/26 continues today, Tuesday 18 November, with the last two of the six online preliminary round matches in the second showdown. Starting at 18:00 CET, Bayer 04 face Karlsruher SC, followed by Borussia Mönchengladbach at 19:00 CET. The games will be streamed live on the Bayer 04 app and on the club Twitch channel. The lowdown on our next opponents.
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