The 56-year-old opted to make two changes to his starting eleven against Eintracht compared with the 4-0 defeat against Wolfsburg: Ivana Rudelic started in place of Sandra Jessen with the captain Jessica Wich making her return to the team. Kristin Kögel made way and started on the subs’ bench. The hosts made the better start in front of 360 spectators at the Brentanobad Stadium: Germany international Laura Freigang opened the scoring on four minutes. But the Werkself Women were quick to respond: Striker Milena Nikolic levelled the scores after good work by Ivana Rudelic (9’). “After that, we had two clear-cut chances and we could have been in front at half-time,” Feifel said in summing up the first 45.
After the restart there was a change in terms of taking chances: 62 minutes into the game, the Bayer 04 Women quickly mounted a counter-attack after winning possession, Dora Zeller passed to Rudelic who, in a repeat of the first Leverkusen goal, set up Nikolic in the penalty area – 2-1 and the tables were turned. The visitors held on to the narrow lead until just before the end of the game.
The lead was lost at the beginning of added time: Like Nikolic, Eintracht striker Freigang scored for the second time on the night when she converted a penalty (90’). According to Feifel, the Werkself Women “could have conceded the equaliser earlier on.” His team then had a double chance to regain the lead after the leveller at 2-2. But there were no more goals.
“Of course, initially it’s frustrating conceding such a late goal and going home with only one point. Nevertheless, I’m completely satisfied with the performance over 93 minutes,” declared Feifel who said his players produced a “great team performance.”
Match stats:
Eintracht Frankfurt: Frohms – Hechler (Küver 87’), Kleinherne, Störzel, Aschauer – Mauron (Prasnikar 46’), Pawollek – Panfil (Nüsken 41’), Freigang, Dunst – Reuteler
Bayer 04: Klink – Kerschowski, Turanyi, Friedrich (Kögel 61’), Marti – Csiszar, Wirtz, Wich (Jessen 57’), Zeller – Rudelic, Nikolic
Goals: 1-0 Freigang (4’), 1-1 Nikolic (9’), 1-2 Nikolic (62’), 2-2 Freigang (90’ pen.)
Booked: Pawollek / Wirtz, Rudelic
Referee: Katrin Rafalski (Baunatal)
Attendance: 360
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Today sees Bayer 04 go head-to-head with their next direct rivals in the race for Champions League qualification (kick-off 15:30 CEST). Opponents Stuttgart are currently fifth in the table, level on points with the Werkself but one place below them due to a three-goal inferior goal difference. The Black and Reds' record at Bad Cannstatt tells a clearer story: they've not lost at VfB for over 16 years. One important factor in securing what would be three crucial points away from home is Leverkusen's strength on the counter-attack. Whilst Stuttgart are also extremely dangerous going forward, they will be without their captain. Today’s matchday news.
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