Bayer 04 made four changes to the starting eleven from the 3-0 win against Dutch top-flight side PEC Zwolle for the second friendly of the preseason. Head coach Achim Feifel opted to put four new signings in the starting line-up: Friederike Abt in goal plus Lisanne Gräwe, Amira Arfaoui and Irina Pando. But his team conceded after two minutes. Hoffenheim’s Petra Kocsan scored from a free kick from the inside left position.
The best chance for the Black and Reds fell to Milena Nikolic just before half-time: The centre-forward was put through by new signing Pando but her shot from close range went over the bar (45+1’). The scoreline remained 1-0 at the break.
At the start of the second 45 – as before the half-time whistle from referee Franziska Hilger – there were changes on both sides. The Hoffenheim scorer of the second goal, Isabella Hartwig, came off the bench. She beat the substitute Bayer 04 keeper Anna Klink with a long-range shot from 20 metres out on 68 minutes.
Henrike Sahlmann, who has played for Leverkusen for four years, said after the game against last season’s third-placed team in the FLYERALARM Women’s Bundesliga: “We played against a very good opponent so it was a good test for us for the new season,” said the 24-year-old. “We improved over the course of the game and were well organised in defence in the second half.” But Sahlmann believes there is room for improvement in converting chances as she said with a wink of the eye: “Hopefully, we’re saving that for the league.”
The five-day training camp for the Bayer 04 Women at Wiesensee ends tomorrow. The Feifel team ahead of the league opener at newly-promoted FC Carl Zeiss Jena (29 August). VfL Wolfsburg are the opposition on Friday 20 August. The kick-off in the motor city is at 15.30 CEST.
Match stats:
Bayer 04: Abt – Wieder, Turanyi, Wirtz, Marti – Gräwe, Kögel – Arfaoui, Zeller, Pando – Nikolic
TSG Hoffenheim: Tufekovic – Wienroither, Specht, Feldkamp – Brand, Harsch, Hagel, Kocsan – Corley, Billa – de Caigny
Goals: 0-1 Kocsan (2’), 0-2 Hartwig (68’)
Referee: Franziska Hilger
Today sees Bayer 04 go head-to-head with their next direct rivals in the race for Champions League qualification (kick-off 15:30 CEST). Opponents Stuttgart are currently fifth in the table, level on points with the Werkself but one place below them due to a three-goal inferior goal difference. The Black and Reds' record at Bad Cannstatt tells a clearer story: they've not lost at VfB for over 16 years. One important factor in securing what would be three crucial points away from home is Leverkusen's strength on the counter-attack. Whilst Stuttgart are also extremely dangerous going forward, they will be without their captain. Today’s matchday news.
Show more
Another showdown in the race for the Champions League places takes place in Swabia: on Saturday 9 May (kick-off 15:30 CEST), the Werkself visit VfB Stuttgart, who are only behind on goal difference. In his pre-match press conference, head coach Kasper Hjulmand spoke about confidence, excitement and mentality.
Show more
Reinforcement in attack: Bayer 04 Leverkusen have secured the transfer of striker Maja Sternad from Bundesliga rivals SV Werder Bremen. The 22-year-old has signed a contract until 30 June 2028.
Show more
It's a thrilling situation: as the season draws to a close, Stuttgart and Bayer 04 are heading into the home stretch almost neck and neck. After 32 games, with 17 wins, seven draws and eight defeats each, both teams are on 58 points. Even in terms of goals scored, VfB and the Werkself are level on 66. The Black and Reds have conceded just three fewer goals (43) than their rivals (46), which is why they sit one place behind fourth-placed Leverkusen. This Saturday, 9 May (kick-off: 15.30 CEST), the two teams go head to head at the MHP Arena in Stuttgart. The lowdown on our next opponents.
Show more
