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.
Bayer 04 Women have their second straight home game as they close out Matchday 5 in the Google Pixel Bundesliga against Carl Zeiss Jena on Monday. Kick-off at the Ulrich-Haberland-Stadion is at 6pm CEST, with head coach Roberto Pätzold expecting a defensive-minded opponent while his team look to continue their good form.
Show moreThe German double winners’ special-edition jersey to mark the club’s 120th anniversary is reminiscent of the first kit worn by players back in the 1907/08 season. The jersey, which the Werkself will wear for the Bundesliga home game against Holstein Kiel on Saturday, 5 October and which has been met with enthusiasm by the players, has numerous special features relating to the club's history, including an NFC chip that leads to exclusive content when scanned with a smartphone.
Show moreBundesliga debutants Holstein Kiel come to the BayArena on Saturday, 5 October (kick-off: 3.30pm CEST) looking to improve on their defensive record up against the Werkself after a tough start to the season. No team has conceded more goals so far than the promoted side. Learn more about our next opponents here…
Show moreVanessa Haim became Bayer 04 Women's sixth summer signing shortly before the start of the training camp in Poland. Around two months after her arrival in Leverkusen, the 27-year-old tells bayer04.de about her move under the Cross and her former job as a teacher.
Show moreThe second international break of the 2024/25 season is round the corner. After the Bundesliga clash against Holstein Kiel this Saturday, 5 October (kick-off 15:30 CEST), several Bayer 04 players will be playing in the next set of UEFA Nations League fixtures, among others. An overview.
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