Rudelic played for Croatia against Switzerland on Friday with the encounter ending in a 1-1 draw. The striker scored the opening goal on three minutes. That also happened in the meeting with Romania last Tuesday when Rudelic put Croatia 1-0 up on nine minutes. The Romanians did turn the game round and went on to win 4-1. With the announcement of a positive coronavirus test for one of her teammates, the Bayer 04 player immediately went into a five-day period of self-isolation as a precaution. The 28-year-old will not be available for Sunday’s Bundesliga match away to Turbine Potsdam (14.00 CEST).
Hungary, with Henrietta Csiszár, Lilla Turanyi and Dóra Zellerall in the starting eleven, were on the wrong end of a disappointing 8-0 defeat to Sweden in the first game in the international break. Csiszár was substituted on 57 minutes, Turanyi was shown a yellow card. The performance against Latvia was appreciably better; the Werkself players had a big part in a 5-0 victory: Zeller scored the opener on nine minutes and doubled the lead on 26. Turanyi made it 4-0 (54') and scored the second of her brace for the 5-0 scoreline in added time. Csiszár came off the bench against Latvia on 63 minutes.
Also in Group F, Iceland followed the example of the Hungarians against Latvia with a runaway 9-0 victory. Sandra Maria Jessen watched proceedings from the bench. Jessen also missed out in the 1-1 draw with Sweden.
Sylwia Matysik twice played for Poland against the Czech Republic: The first game ended goalless in the return match in a 2-0 defeat. The Pole played the full 90 minutes in the first match and 76 minutes in the second.
Austria secured a comfortable 5-0 victory against Kazakhstan – Viktoria Pinther came off the bench for a brief four-minute appearance late on.
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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