After the exciting top match against Eintracht Frankfurt (3-2) on matchday 16, the Werkself Women are away to relegation-threatened Werder Bremen on Sunday after a three-week break due to the DFB Cup and the international break. “The long break doesn’t necessarily play into our hands. We’ve lost our match rhythm because of that,” complained Bayer 04 head coach Achim Feifel.
Ahead of matchday 17, his team are fifth in the table on 29 points level with fourth-placed Turbine Potsdam. “The aim is to build on our performances in the home games against Potsdam and Frankfurt,” said Feifel in setting out the approach to the game against Werder Bremen. “It will depend on us being compact in defence and playing in transition with pace. When we have the ball we’ll have to control the match with our passing game. We want to create chances and be clinical.”
It remains to be seen how Werder will line up as the Bremen team go into the season run-in with a new coach. Thomas Horsch replaced Alexander Kluge as head coach at the start of the month. The 52-year-old will be in charge of the Green and Whites to the end of the season. The trigger for this decision was the 3-2 defeat at fellow promoted club SV Meppen on the last matchday. The managerial change has no effect on the preparations of the Werkself Women for the game. “The change of coaches has little relevance to our preparations. The crucial factor will be to focus on ourselves and impose our style of play,” said Feifel.
The Bayer 04 coach is expecting a “difficult game against an opponent who will be highly motivated. They need points to stay in the league.” Bremen are currently ninth in the table and are five points above the relegation spots. Achim Feifel is aware of the strengths and weaknesses of the team from Bremen: “Bremen have a strong attack and are always capable of scoring a goal. On the other hand, they are vulnerable in defence and they have conceded a lot of goals.”
In addition to the injuries to Viktoria Pinther (back problem) and Verena Wieder (knee), Lara Marti is also unavailable at the weekend. The Switzerland international suffered a calf muscle injury against Czechia and faces several weeks on the sidelines. And the three Hungarians Dóra Zeller, Lilla Turányi (both muscular problems) and Henrietta Csiszár (ankle ligament injury) have returned from the international fixtures with injuries and are unavailable for the Bremen game. “Injury has ruled out four players who have all been on top form recently,” said Feifel. However, there is a bright spot: Sylwia Matysik, who had been battling with back problems for weeks, was able to return to full training this week. But Sunday’s game comes too soon for the Pole.
Bayer 04 fans can support the team again this weekend. Bayer 04 will broadcast the Werkself away game at Werder on the club’s YouTube channel.
HERE is the link to the live stream. The broadcast starts at 13.45 CEST on Sunday.
Join us and tune in.
Trophies as a youth, appearances in the pro game and his first taste of international competition: new arrival Luca Erlein, who has been signed from TSG Hoffenheim, can already look back on some remarkable achievements and moments in his fledgling career. We take a closer look at the 19-year-old right-back, who can also fill other roles across the defensive line.
Show more
Bayer 04 Leverkusen has a new coffee partner. The club has agreed a long-term partnership with the Bocholt-based roastery Imping, running to 30 June 2031. The exclusive partnership with the family-run business includes the installation of fully automatic coffee machines at the BayArena, as well as the right to supply and serve coffee products in the business areas during Werkself home games.
Show more
Plenty going on both on and off the pitch: The Bayer 04 fan support team has organised a number of highlights for fans visiting the Werkself 2026/27 summer training camp in Blankenhain, in the Weimarer Land region. Registration for the events is now open. All the details at a glance.
Show more
The Bayer 04 Leverkusen Women’s team and s2-Software are continuing their long-term partnership: The Werkself and the provider of pre-owned Microsoft licences have extended their contract by two years to 2028. This means s2-Software will remain the Bayer 04 sleeve sponsor for all matches in the Google Pixel Women’s Bundesliga.
Show more
Bayer 04 Leverkusen have another pre-season friendly at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium as part of the preparations for the 2026/27 season. On Wednesday 29 July (kick-off: 15:00 CEST / stadium opens: 13:30 CEST), the Werkself host Belgian top-flight side KRC Genk. Tickets for home supporters are now on sale.
Show more
