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.
Bayern Munich come to the BayArena this Saturday with an 11-point lead in the Bundesliga as they look to take a step closer to the title. As imperious as they may seem, a weakness has emerged of late that the Werkself proved they can exploit in Wednesday’s 1-1 draw with Arsenal in the Champions League. Leverkusen are also looking to make it four Bundesliga home games unbeaten against the Bavarians. Here’s all you need to know ahead of the 15:30 CET kick-off in our matchday news.
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Another home game, another top opponent - another marker? Three days after their convincing performance in the 1-1 draw with Arsenal in the UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg, Bayer 04 continue their Bundesliga campaign with an equally high-calibre fixture. Matchday 26 sees league leaders Bayern Munich visit the sold-out BayArena. Ahead of the clash, head coach Kasper Hjulmand spoke about a comparison between Arsenal and the Bavarians, Bayern's high-scoring performance in Europe's premier club competition and a return to the squad for one Werkself player.
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High spirits and previously untold stories: Around 100 Bayer 04 fans packed the Schwadbud fan pub in the east stand of the BayArena on Thursday evening to be there in person for the first instalment of the new series of events entitled “Rudi lädt ein” (Rudi invites you). They listened intently as long-serving Werkself players Gonzalo Castro and Stefan Kießling chatted with record appearance-maker Rüdiger Vollborn and presenter and stadium announcer Tobias Ufer about their many years together at the club, shared amusing anecdotes and revealed dressing room secrets. Anyone who missed the premiere can already look forward to the second instalment – on 12 May, Rudi will be testing the expert knowledge of Bayer 04 fans during a quiz night.
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The Bundesliga home game against VfL Wolfsburg in the first half of the season was one of those classic ‘days to forget’ for Bayer 04 Women. It started with goalkeeper Charlotte Voll being shown a red card in the first minute of the game, and following a further sending-off, coach Roberto Pätzold's 9-women side ended up losing 5-1 to last season's runners-up. At 18.30 CET on Sunday, they'll have the chance to exact revenge at the AOK Stadium - and pick up valuable points in the race for third place.
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They're well on their way to becoming German champions for the 35th time and once again proved their incredible class in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday. This Saturday, 14 March (kick-off: 15.30 CET), Bayern Munich will be the visitors to the BayArena. It'll be a meeting of the two Bundesliga teams with the most dominant styles of play. A look at our opponents shows the visitors from the Bavarian capital have many strengths - but are also vulnerable.
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