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.
In mid-August, the Werkself will set off on a four-day trip to England to play their final two friendly matches of the 2026/27 pre-season against Premier League clubs Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United. The match in Nottingham against the Tricky Trees is on Wednesday 12 August at 20:45 CEST (19:45 BST) at the City Ground. The game against the Magpies in Newcastle is on Saturday 15 August at 16:00 CEST (15:00 BST) at the atmospheric St James’ Park. Details on ticket sales for both matches.
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Black and Red talent development at the highest level – even off the pitch: Apprentices Jule Suermann, Leandra Bellia and Julia Niederheide have successfully completed their two- or three-year apprenticeships at the club. Bayer 04 honoured the trio at the BayArena on Tuesday.
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Following the summer break, most of the players are back in Leverkusen. While two Bayer 04 first-team players are still in action at the World Cup, the players present officially kicked off the new season with fitness assessments. At the Werkstatt, the Bayer 04 rehabilitation and training centre, Robert Andrich, Edmond Tapsoba and the rest of the squad worked up quite a sweat in the sweltering summer heat. New signings Afonso Moreira and Kennet Eichhorn also successfully completed the day’s sessions alongside their new team-mates.
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The Werkself return tomorrow, Tuesday 14 July (from 11:00 CEST at the BayArena; live stream on bayer04.de, the Bayer 04 app and YouTube), with new head coach Carles Martínez leading his first training session as part of the Bayer 04 set-up. His coaching team comprises a mix of new and long-standing colleagues.
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The FIFA World Cup 2026 in the USA, Canada and Mexico is underway. A total of eight Leverkusen players are taking part in the 23rd World Cup, with 48 teams in the tournament for the first time. Bayer04.de brings you all the latest from Werkself players at the World Cup.
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