Dora Zeller, Irina Pando, Lara Marti, Sylwia Matysik, Lisanne Gräwe, Sofie Zdebel and Julia Pollak were the seven Bayer 04 players returning from international duty in the middle of this week. That does not leave much time for the septet to prepare for the next opponents as the Feifel team are in action against TSG Hoffenheim on Sunday in the DFB Cup Round of 16. The 19-year-old Pollak will not be in the squad. "Julia returned with muscular problems and is unfortunately unavailable," explained the Leverkusen coach.
Bayer 04 have only lost one game this season. The Black and Reds have picked up 15 points from six games in the FLYERALARM Women's Bundesliga. The last round of the DFB Cup brought a 3-1 away win at RB Leipzig. "Wins obviously boost confidence and inner belief in success," said Feifel before adding: "Nevertheless, we need to keep our feet on the ground and improve in training week by week. In matches it's a matter of carrying on playing together as a team."
That also applies to Sunday as TSG are a top side visiting the Ulrich Haberland Stadium. "They are," underlined Feifel, "an absolute top team with international class. They have a very good squad with a lot of individual quality and recently have also impressed on the European stage." That makes it even more important for the Bayer 04 players to be able to transition from compact defending. "We have to be prepared for anything against Hoffenheim," declared Feifel. "It will depend on us working passionately off the ball and showing aggression."
The coach also demanded his team be clinical in front of goal: "We need determination, high tempo and efficient conversion of chances to be able to hurt the opposition." And then ideally go through to the next round.
Anybody unable to watch the match at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium but who would like to cheer on the Bayer 04 Women in front of a screen can do that on the club’s YouTube channel. The broadcast starts at 14.55 CEST.
In mid-August, the Werkself will set off on a four-day trip to England to play their final two friendly matches of the 2026/27 pre-season against Premier League clubs Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United. The match in Nottingham against the Tricky Trees is on Wednesday 12 August at 20:45 CEST (19:45 BST) at the City Ground. The game against the Magpies in Newcastle is on Saturday 15 August at 16:00 CEST (15:00 BST) at the atmospheric St James’ Park. Details on ticket sales for both matches.
Show more
Black and Red talent development at the highest level – even off the pitch: Apprentices Jule Suermann, Leandra Bellia and Julia Niederheide have successfully completed their two- or three-year apprenticeships at the club. Bayer 04 honoured the trio at the BayArena on Tuesday.
Show more
The Werkself return tomorrow, Tuesday 14 July (from 11:00 CEST at the BayArena; live stream on bayer04.de, the Bayer 04 app and YouTube), with new head coach Carles Martínez leading his first training session as part of the Bayer 04 set-up. His coaching team comprises a mix of new and long-standing colleagues.
Show more
The Germany U19 team were beaten 2-0 by record champions Spain in the final of the U19 European Championship in Wales. Bayer 04 players Montrell Culbreath and Francis Onyeka (on loan at SV 07 Elversberg) were in the starting line-up and played the full 90 minutes.
Show more
