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.
Werkself-TV shows the highlights of the Bayer 04 women's 4-0 win at SGS Essen on the 24th matchday of the Google Pixel Frauen-Bundesliga 2025/26.
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Bayer 04 put in a brilliant performance to beat RB Leipzig 4-1 on Bundesliga matchday 32 and are now fourth in a Champions League spot. The Black and Reds took control of the game right from the start and, with 75 per cent possession at one stage, took a 2-0 lead into the break through Patrik Schick (25’) and Nathan Tella (45+1’). The visitors initially tried to do more after the break, but the Werkself remained determined and Schick scored his second goal to increase the lead to 3-0 (76'). The Red Bulls pulled a goal back through Christoph Baumgartner (80'), but the disciplined Leverkusen side were not rattled - and certainly not Schick: The Czechia international crowned a brilliant display with his third goal shortly before the final whistle to make the final score 4-1.
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In the previous game against RB Leipzig in December last year, the Werkself turned came from behind to win 3-1 and further improved Leverkusen's already strong record against the Red Bulls. Montrell Culbreath stood out with his first goal on his debut for the Black and Reds. While the 18-year-old would certainly like to score a second goal against Leipzig on Saturday night, the attack-minded visitors come to the BayArena in confident mood after five Bundesliga victories in a row. The Nordkurve12 supporters group knows the Werkself will therefore once again be reliant on the vociferous support of the fans, and has once again called for the ‘Finally Red’ campaign in the run-in. Today’s matchday news.
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Video games manufacturer Electronic Arts (EA), together with the German Football League (DFL), announced the top male and female selections for the 2025/26 Bundesliga season this week. Bayer 04 striker Vanessa Fudalla is in the starting eleven of the women's "Team of the Season". Alejandro Grimaldo and Aleix Garcia have been selected as bench players in the men's team.
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