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.
Exciting experiences and exclusive insights into the Werkself and the BayArena awaited the young footballers from the BA04 Football Academy Guangzhou in China during their visit to the Rhineland this week. As well as taking part in a joint training session with the Bayer 04 Football Academy, the youngsters marvelled at the Bundesliga club’s stadium during a guided tour. The highlight of the visit was a private press conference with former Bayer 04 striker Stefan Kießling, during which he shared tips from his own career with the young players. On Saturday afternoon, 10 October, the group will round off their visit by supporting the Werkself in the away match in Mainz.
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Fun, games and promising talent: At the fourth Bayer 04 Junior Girls’ Talent Day at the Kurtekotten training centre, 90 football-mad girls had the chance to put themselves forward for the Werkself youth teams. During a 90-minute training session, children born between 2011 and 2019 had the chance to demonstrate their skills.
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Despite the international break, numerous Werkself fans turned up at the BayArena on Saturday 3 October. The occasion: Bayer 04, together with Bayer Vital and main sponsor BarmeniaGothaer, organised a Health Day. In the stadium’s Premium Lounge, guests listened to fascinating talks on the subject of cancer, featuring, amongst others, Bayer 04 record appearance holder Rüdiger Vollborn and former Werkself player Hans Sarpei. Afterwards, young and old alike enjoyed interactive stations such as a grip strength test and eye pupil test.
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In issue #56 of Werkself Magazine, Afonso Moreira offers some interesting insights into his home country, Portugal, as part of the ‘Sag mal’ (Tell me) feature. Among other things, the 21-year-old talks about his favourite places in the country on the Iberian Peninsula, the local cuisine and music, as well as heroes and historical figures beyond the world of football. ‘Sag mal’ with Afonso Moreira!
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