
“Pauline expressed her desire to gain academic and sporting experience abroad. We are happy to oblige,” said Thomas Eichin, head of the Youth and Women’s sections at Bayer 04. “She’s a player with potential and great ambition. She will be able to compare herself with the best at the college over there.”
Pauline Machtens has a full-time grant to study at Syracuse University and she will also be able to carry on playing professional football for the college team. The team is in the ACC, one of the oldest leagues in American university sport. “Syracuse University offers me a real challenge and I’m grateful to Bayer 04 for allowing me to make this move,” said Machtens. “I’d like to take this opportunity to be a better player and I’m really excited at being able to start a new adventure.”
Pauline Machtens started playing at Leverkusen with the U13s; in 2019/20 she moved up from the junior section to the Women’s squad. She has made nine appearances to date.

Werkself-TV shows the highlights of Bayer 04 Women's 0-2 loss at 1. FC Nürnberg on Matchday 8 of the 2026/27 Google Pixel Women's Bundesliga.
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After nine points from their first three away matches of the 2026/27 season, the Bayer 04 Women suffered their first away defeat on Sunday afternoon. The 2-0 defeat away to FC Nürnberg, who were winless before today, represented a setback for coach Roberto Pätzold’s team in the race for the top spots in the Google Pixel Women’s Bundesliga. Fany Pronietz scored both goals (62’, 85’) for the home side.
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After six consecutive wins, the Werkself have hit a rough patch: Bayer 04 lost 3-0 away to TSG Hoffenheim. Andrej Kramaric put the hosts ahead from the penalty spot (79'), with Alexander Prass and Max Moerstedt adding to the tally shortly before full-time (89’/90+5’). After ten matches under Carles Martínez, with the Black and Reds always scoring at least twice, Leverkusen failed to find the net for the first time.
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The Werkself still have a score to settle with TSG Hoffenheim: Bayer 04 lost both matches against the Kraichgau side last term – after the Black and Reds had won all the previous five encounters. Leverkusen are currently on a roll and looking to kick off a new winning streak against TSG in Sinsheim on Sunday 25 October (kick-off: 15:30 CET), and Patrik Schick is keen to continue his current run of form. However, it will not be easy, as coach Christian Ilzer’s team have also gained confidence recently. Today’s matchday news.
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