
FFC Frankfurt are the record Cup winners with nine titles to date. "Frankfurt are in the first division and are a big club. We are clearly the underdogs in this match. You only have to look at Frankfurt's performance over the past few years," said Hagedorn. The club holds three records with ten final appearances in succession, five titles on the bounce plus three successive Cup final defeats. In 2002 and 2008 FFC won the treble. But there is no reason to be intimidated.
"FFC lost some good players in the summer," said Hagedorn. "And then there's the recent change of coach." FFC have just parted company with Matt Ross after disappointing performances in recent weeks. Second team coach, Niko Arnautis, has taken the helm. "The change of coaches means there will be a different approach from Frankfurt. So it's harder to say how they will play against us on Sunday," said Hagedorn. One thing is certain: "We'll try to give the big team a game and hopefully end up as winners."
The Bayer 04 Women's squad has been bigger in the past. Long-term absentees Laura Widak and Merle Barth (both knee) are joined by two other players on the injury list. Gianna Rackow suffered a torn cruciate in last Saturday's U18 DFB State Cup. The same fate befell Pauline Wimmer the previous week in a game against the second team. The coach will also have to manage with Melissa Friedrich and Sabine Sauder for the second round tie.
Nicole Munzert and Valentina Finestra did return to training this week after recovering from knocks. Given the injury situation, Hagedorn has involved second team players in training this week and they will be in the squad on Sunday.
The Bayer 04 Women are looking forward to getting great support at the Cup tie. Entrance is free to children under 14 years of age and adult tickets cost 8 euros. School students, students, apprentices and senior citizens only have to pay the concession price of 5 euros. Seats are not allocated.
Our season ticket holders and Club members are not entitled to free entry due to the share of gate receipts in cup games.

Bayer 04 will have to manage without defender Guéla Doué for the time being. The Ivory Coast international sustained a muscle injury to his right calf during the final Werkself training session yesterday ahead of the Europa League clash with Slovenian champions NK Celje.
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For the first time since reaching the final against AS Roma (2–2, first leg 2–0) in May 2024, Bayer 04 are playing another home match in the UEFA Europa League – and they will be wearing their new European kit. On Wednesday 16 September (kick-off: 21:00 CEST), the BayArena will welcome Slovenian champions NK Celje, who appointed a new coach this week following a mixed start to the season. Under the slogan “40 Years Across Europe. Still Creating History.”, the Black and Reds now aim to add the next chapter to their European history, which has seen so much success in recent years. Bayer 04 fans can follow the match on free-to-air TV on RTL, as well as on Sky and Werkself Radio. The matchday news.
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European football returns to the BayArena: Bayer 04 host Slovenian champions NK Celje on matchday 1 in the group stage of the 2026/27 UEFA Europa League. Ahead of the match on Wednesday 16 September (kick-off: 21:00 CEST), head coach Carles Martínez and midfielder Aleix Garcia spoke at the pre-match press conference. The focus was primarily on the great anticipation surrounding the competition and the clear objectives for it – and, given the circumstances, on a last-minute change to the opposition line-up.
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The champions of Slovenia NK Celje are in a European competition for the fourth time in their history. This Wednesday, 16 September (kick-off: 21:00 CEST), the side lead by head coach Vitor Campelos visit the BayArena for matchday 1 in the group stage in the UEFA Europa League. Celje’s last match at the weekend did not go to plan. The lowdown on our next opponents.
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Construction work continues on the ‘Haus der Talente’ on Kurtekottenweg in Leverkusen, where 36 young elite athletes will find a new home from next summer. The building team from Temmink Bau, led by Thomas Wellers, are hard at work. Over the past few days, excavators, wheeled loaders and rollers have removed 2,500 cubic metres of soil to excavate the basement.
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