This is only the second competitive match this year for the Bayer 04 Women. Due to the postponement of the game against MSV Duisburg due to weather conditions on matchday 13 and the following international break there is a break of one month between the restart and the clash with Turbine Potsdam. "In principle, such a long break is not good as it's difficult to find your rhythm again. You don't really know: Where are we up to now?," Declared head coach Achim Feifel. A justifiable question as, following a successful first half of the season, the Werkself Women suffered a heavy 6-0 defeat against TSG Hoffenheim after the winter break. "After a hammering like that, the players want to get straight back on the pitch to make amends for the result."
The opportunity now comes somewhat late on Friday night against Potsdam. "We've used the time to work on things and we want to produce a better performance on the pitch," said Feifel. "We all need that against Potsdam. An absolute top performance in other words." FFC are currently fourth in the table with 22 points (having played a game less than Bayer 04). A win for the Werkself, now in fourth place two points behind, would take them above Potsdam – and see the Black and Reds in fourth place in the top-flight for the first time in the club's history.
To achieve that target, “we have to surpass ourselves. Potsdam are a tough opponent and are near the top for a good reason," said the football coach, not least due to the 2-0 defeat in the previous meeting. "They have a good team with lots of young talents but also experienced players like Johanna Elsig or (the former Leverkusen player, ed.) Merle Barth. We need a top-level team performance on Friday – everybody needs to get really stuck in and push each other to the limit."
Not only the opponents present a challenge but also the personnel situation. Feifel has to cope with several players out injured. Captain Jessica Wich is continuing rehab training after coming back from a broken foot, and also working on their own this week was Nina Brüggemann following her muscle injury. Juliane Wirtz is still struggling with a groin injury and Sylwia Matysik has returned with back problems from international duty with Poland. There are also question marks about Melissa Friedrich, Pauline Machtens and Barbara Reger, who all only rejoined full training at the start of the week. In addition, Sandra Jessen is not available from this point due to her pregnancy. Bayer 04 are happy at this great news and wish her all the best for the coming months.
Winter signing Mina Tanaka could make her competitive debut. The Japan international made her first appearance for the Black and Reds in the friendly against second division Gütersloh (7-0) on Sunday and she scored to make it 3-0. "Mina put her foot on the gas. She is still lacking a little in terms of fitness but her last league match was in Japan in December. But she is finding her way now and is developing well. She is ready to play against Potsdam," revealed Feifel.
For this game, the Rasenreport matchday magazine is again available as an e-paper. In addition to the squads and further information on the matchday, Sofie Zdebel gives an interview. Click HERE for the online edition.
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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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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