A look at the stats gives more or less reason for optimism depending on perspective from a Black and Red point of view: The Werkself have lost nine out of the last ten games against the seven-time champions of Germany but, on the other hand, they are unbeaten in the last five home games and collected eleven of the sixteen points in the Hinrunde at the UHS. "It's a great little run we want to keep going," said de Pauw, although he is well aware: "We haven't played at home to the top teams yet." Over 1,000 tickets have been sold for the game on Sunday. "The spectators can give us an extra weapon. We need special support especially for this game," declared the coach.
The 2-1 defeat at Werder Bremen despite leading for so long did not prey on the minds of the team. "Unfortunately we lacked the necessary energy in the closing stages and we were punished for that. We discussed that in clear terms but now we are looking forwards again," said de Pauw.
The Dutchman is aware that the challenge against the Wolves could well be even more complicated. "Ahead of the winter break, they found it difficult at times. Now they've made a great start against a tough opponent in Essen. It was impressive how they dealt with going behind," said the coach. That brings him to a logical conclusion: "We have to hope for a worse day for them and a good day for us and be effective accordingly." What does it come down to? "Of course, the basis is a better defensive organisation than in Bremen. Then we will be able to hurt them up front as well."
At the start of the season, his team had almost no chances in the 3-0 defeat in Wolfsburg. De Pauw believes his players can learn from that. "We have to make better decisions in the final third. Often we have broken through but then lacked precision and through that scarcely created any clear chances on goal," he said. In the spotlight here is the Poland international Nikola Karczewska, who scored her sixth goal of the season in Bremen. She is faced by her opposite number VfL striker Ewa Pajor who has also netted six goals. For that reason the Werkself defence will have to "keep an eye on the spaces at the back and that obviously applies to set pieces."
Janou Levels (hip) and Clara Fröhlich (illness) remain sidelined Sofia Cava Marin, Delice Boboy and Julia Mickenhage will probably play for the second team on Sunday. Otherwise, de Pauw has his whole squad available.
The pay streaming service DAZN will make the match available free of charge on their own app. Fans only need an account with the streaming service to take up the free offer. As usual, the match will also be broadcast live on MagentaSport live. Tickets for the Bayer 04 Women's home game at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium are available in advance HERE online or from the matchday ticket office.
Bayer 04 Leverkusen have extended Abdoulaye Faye’s contract by a further year to 30 June 2031. During the 2026/27 season, the talented defender will play for Celta Vigo on loan without an option to buy. The 21-year-old Senegalese is set to feature in La Liga and the UEFA Europa League with last season’s sixth-placed side in Spain.
Show more
The Werkself's training camp in Weimarer Land all in one place: in our daily blog you'll find all the insights and updates from the day. The programme on day one (Sunday 2 August) includes a media round with managing director sport Simon Rolfes, free time for the team after the friendly against Rot-Weiss Essen and before an intensive week of training begins, as well as a coffee get-together where CEO Fernando Carro and Rolfes met around 100 fans in the afternoon.
Show more
Bayer 04 Leverkusen have agreed Kerim Alajbegovic’s transfer to Italian record champions Juventus. The club brought the 18-year-old attacking player back to Leverkusen this summer via a buy-back option, following a season at Red Bull Salzburg. Until his move to Austria, the Bosnia international had been playing for Bayer 04’s Under-19s.
Show more
A warm welcome to the Weimarer Land, Bayer 04! The Werkself moved into their accommodation for this year’s training camp on Saturday evening. In Blankenhain, Thuringia, head coach Carles Martínez’s team have a programme of gruelling training sessions – several of which will be open to fans – and team-building activities lined up for the next six days. We’ll be following the Werkself up close and providing you with exclusive insights, quotes, photos and videos from the training camp.
Show more
With 22 days to go until the start of the Bundesliga campaign, the Bayer 04 Women’s team have gained a fresh boost of confidence. In a friendly against Belgian top-flight side KRC Genk on Saturday afternoon, coach Roberto Pätzold’s team secured a 1–0 win. Lobke Loonen (20’) scored the winner for the Black and Reds at the Kurtekotten training centre.
Show more
