VfL Wolfsburg have cleaned up all national titles in German women's football over the past four years – "they are an exceptional team, famous throughout Europe," said Bayer 04 head coach Achim Feifel ahead of the game. "You need a lot more than normal against an opponent like that – a fantastic team performance and players who excel on the day," the coach declared.
The Champions League finalists clearly dominated the FLYERALARM Women's Bundesliga last season as in the years before giving away only four points in two draws. And the Wolves have continued this season where they left off: There was a 3-0 win in the opening game against Essen; that was followed by a 4-1 victory at Hoffenheim and a 2-0 win against newly promoted Meppen. Over the summer, VfL lost an outstanding striker in Germany's Women's Footballer of the Year, Pernille Harder but they did bring in a promising replacement in Shanice van de Sanden from Chelsea and she was a three-time Champions League winner with Lyon.
"We know what to expect in terms of the quality of the opposition. It's important we are incredibly aggressive in defence but decisive after winning the ball, show ambition in transition play and are effective in taking the chances we get," said Feifel who is still struggling with squad availability.
Nina Brüggemann (muscular problem) is still not an option, just like Sylwia Matysik who has a calf injury. Jessica Wich was unable to train during the week due to back problems – there is a question mark over her as there is with Henrietta Csiszár (muscular problem). Ann-Kathrin Vinken has returned to full training after recovering from a bruised hip.
At the start of a double fixture week, Feifel will not rest anyone in view of the games against Frankfurt in Bremen: “We can't take the double fixture week into account. We want to get a result against Wolfsburg so we have to give everything. We will field the fittest team in all three games.”
Bayer 04 had originally set a limit of 96 on the number of spectators at the Kurtekotten Performance Centre. Due to the increase in the seven-day infection rate, which has rapidly increased in and around Leverkusen and was over 35 on Friday morning, 2 October, this match will now be played behind closed doors.
Werkself player Montrell Culbreath and Bayer 04 loanee Francis Onyeka are part of Germany's final squad for the U19 European Championships this summer. The tournament is in Wales from 24 June to 12 July.
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Carles Martìnez is raring to go. The 42-year-old speaks in his first interview in Leverkusen about the club's development to date and how he wants to build on it. He describes his previous work in France, Kuwait, Qatar and his native Barcelona, his experience in developing young players, and the key steps between now and the start of pre-season training.
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New Bayer 04 head coach Carles Martínez has arrived in Leverkusen! At midday on Friday, the 42-year-old spoke in a press conference at the BayArena about his philosophy and his aims. Managing director sport Simon Rolfes also discussed the reasons for appointing the former Toulouse boss.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have appointed Carles Martínez Novell as the new head coach. The 42-year-old Spaniard worked for FC Toulouse in the French Ligue 1 until the end of the season. Martínez finished last term in ninth place with the club from the south of France. He will take over the Werkself on 1 July 2026 and has signed a contract to 30 June 2028. Martínez, whose contract with Toulouse expires at the end of the month, succeeds Kasper Hjulmand at Leverkusen, who is leaving the club after one season.
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Welcome to Leverkusen, Carles Martínez Novell. Bayer 04 have appointed the 42-year-old Spaniard as the new head coach on a contract to 2028. Martínez most recently worked for FC Toulouse in the French Ligue 1 until the end of the season. He previously spent four years at Barcelona's legendary academy La Masia in his home city. Bayer04.de introduces Martínez in more detail.
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