Following the 5-2 defeat against TSG Hoffenheim and the cup exit against FC Köln (0-1), the Leverkusen women’s team will be looking to get back on track in Emsland to build on the successful start to the season (3 wins, 2 draws, 2 defeats) in the FLYERALARM Women’s Bundesliga. The forthcoming opposition are currently five places behind the Black and Reds after two draws at the start of the season were followed by six defeats on the bounce. That means the team coached by Wulf-Rüdiger Müller and with former Leverkusen keeper Laura Sieger in the side are bottom of the table.
Looking at the game against the bottom-p[aced club, Müller’s opposite number Achim Feifel wants see a different team dynamic and the desire to win from his players that was evident at the start to the season. “If we play like we did against Hoffenheim and Köln then our chances aren’t good – including against Meppen,” said the 56-year-old.
The Leverkusen head coach sounded a warning about underestimating SVM. “The Emslanders are strong, good at winning the ball and athletic plus very solid in defence. They have attacking players who are quick in counter-attacks and we’ll have to keep an eye on them,” said Feifel who is expecting an improvement in performance from his team after two defeats: “We have to remember where we were a couple of weeks ago. Every player have to perform to their full potential, play with great passion, show a good work rate and commitment. We’ll have to go all the way and fight for every ball.”
Feifel has a full squad to choose from with the exception of the two long-term injuries and the goalkeeper duo. In addition to Pauline Wimmer, who is currently in rehab after her torn cruciate, Jessica Wich was also sidelined a few days ago. The captain suffered a broken ankle in the home game against Hoffenheim and will probably be out of action for the the rest of this year. Feifel will also have to manage without the two keepers Joyce Prabel (muscular problem) and Anna Wellmann (finger operation) on Sunday.
Bayer 04 Women missed out on victory in the Google Pixel Bundesliga as they were held to a draw at home to Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday. Estrella Merino Gonzalez had put the Werkself ahead directly from a corner at the Ulrich-Haberland-Stadion, before Laura Freigang levelled for the visitors as it finished all square between fourth and third on Matchday 7.
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Freiburg have made an impressive start to the season, unbeaten in nine games across all competitions, with eight of them wins. Now the Bundesliga leaders come to the BayArena on Sunday to take on the Werkself, but Julian Schuster’s team will be missing their top scorer. Here’s the lowdown on our next opponent.
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Bayer 04 will have to manage without attacking midfielder Martin Terrier for the time being. The Frenchman sustained a muscle injury to his left hamstring yesterday, Thursday 15 October, during the Europa League game against Polish champions Lech Poznan (4–0). Terrier is not expected to be available until late December.
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Following the international break, the Bayer 04 women’s team face their next head-to-head clash in the race for a top spot in the Bundesliga. In Saturday’s home match (14:00 CEST), the fourth-placed side host third-placed Eintracht Frankfurt at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium. Head coach Roberto Pätzold is well aware of the great opportunity this presents for his team.
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