
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.

In glorious sunshine and temperatures of around 30 degrees Celsius, the Bayer 04 Women have begun their preparations for the new season. With a relaxed first session at the Kurtekotten training centre, coach Roberto Pätzold’s team became the first Bundesliga side to resume training after a 37-day break.
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Black and Red stand out. Under the slogan ‘Diversity under the Cross’, Bayer 04 took part in Pride on the Rhine at the weekend alongside the queer fan club “Bayer 04 Junxx”. The club mascot, Brian the Lion, and several members of staff were also in attendance, championing diversity and solidarity.
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Centre-back Melissa Friedrich is set to remain at Bayer 04 for another year. The longest-serving player in the squad, who joined the club in 2016, has extended her contract to 2027.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have signed Portugal U21 international Afonso Moreira. The 21-year-old winger joins the club from French top-flight side Olympique Lyon on a contract to 30 June 2031. In France last year, the left-winger made 37 appearances in Ligue 1, the Coupe de France and the UEFA Europa League, scoring a total of eight goals and providing eleven assists.
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