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.
Full-back Julia Mickenhagen is leaving Bayer 04 Leverkusen at the end of the season to join Bundesliga newcomers VfB Stuttgart. The 21-year-old’s contract with the club expires on 30 June.
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Werkself-TV shows the highlights of the Bayer 04 women's 3-1 win at RB Leipzig on the 25th matchday of the Google Pixel Frauen-Bundesliga 2025/26.
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Bayer 04 Women still have a chance of qualifying for the UEFA Women’s Champions League for the first time ever going into the final day of the season after a 3-1 win at RB Leipzig on Monday evening. The result took Roberto Pätzold’s side to within two points of Eintracht Frankfurt in third place. Cornelia Kramer, Katharina Piljic and Ruby Grant scored the goals for the Werkself’s fifth consecutive win that sets up a thrilling final matchday at home to Werder Bremen on Sunday.
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The Werkself need a win in their penultimate match of the season at RB Leipzig on Monday evening (18:00 CEST) to keep their hopes of third place alive until the final day. After Eintracht Frankfurt lost on Saturday, Roberto Pätzold's side can close the gap on their rivals to two points and leave it all to play for next Sunday.
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