Eintracht are currently in fourth place on 32 points, just one behind Hoffenheim, meaning a win is a must in their push for Champions League qualification. “Frankfurt will feel a lot of pressure. It could be that they then start taking risks,” said de Pauw. The Dutchman also gave a reminder of his own team’s ambitions: “We want to be in the top five, so it’s also an important game for us. We definitely won’t give anything away but will give all we’ve got to win.” Leverkusen are on 25 points heading into Matchday 18.
De Pauw’s confidence in his team ahead of facing Frankfurt is based on his side’s previous displays against the top four teams this season. “We’ve had some good performances against these teams,” said the coach, remembering the 2-2 draw in the reverse fixture where Estrella Merino Gonzalez secured a late point with her first Bundesliga goal. “After the draw at Hoffenheim, the narrow defeat against them at home and the draw against Wolfsburg, it’s about time we beat one of these teams.”
Eintracht have managed 10 wins this season and are “one of those teams” for a reason. “They have great depth in their squad and have pace especially up front. At the same time, they’re vulnerable at the back. We need to use the space between their lines and out wide.”
All 13 players called up to represent their countries over the international break had returned to training in Leverkusen by Thursday. Five of them had come back having secured Euro U19 qualification. “Each player has a different level of fitness. We need to watch out for that after each international break and take it into account when preparing for a game,” the 42-year-old explained.
During the break, he varied the workloads of the players still training with the club. “In the first week, we trained very intensely with a small group, and then we reduced the intensity a bit and worked on different match scenarios,” the Dutchman stated. “Now it’s about ensuring everyone is fresh before the game.”
Synne Skinnes Hansen won’t be available on Saturday due to a thigh problem. The game also comes too soon for Charlotte Voll (shoulder) and Melissa Friedrich (ankle).
Anyone who wants to support the team on Saturday can get tickets for the game HERE. Tickets will also be available to buy on the day at the entrance.
Four Bayer 04 players are in action at the 35th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations being played in Morocco from 21 December to 18 January 2026: Eliesse Ben Seghir for the hosts, Edmond Tapsoba with Burkina Faso, Ibrahim Maza for Algeria and Christian Kofane with Cameroon. Updates on the AFCON matches involving Werkself players...
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Bayer 04 Women finish 2025 with the first game of the second half of the Google Pixel Bundesliga season as they host defending champions and league leaders Bayern Munich at the Ulrich-Haberland-Stadion on Monday. Kick-off is at 18:00 CET. Here’s all you need to know ahead of the Matchday 14 encounter.
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The Werkself may have the festive season off, but four players will still be in action as they compete at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. Eliesse Ben Seghir will open the 35th edition of the tournament with hosts Morocco on Sunday, 21 December. Edmond Tapsoba (Burkina Faso), Ibrahim Maza (Algeria) and Christian Kofane (Cameroon) are also going for continental glory.
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The media wanted to know if Malik Tillman had thought back in September and the team’s indifferent start to the season that they would go into the winter break in third place with 29 points from 15 games. His answer was short and clear: “Honestly, yes, because I simply believe in this team.” That team had just won 3-1 at RB Leipzig, who hadn’t dropped a single point at home previously this season. Here’s all the round-up from the game in our Werkself Review.
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