
Exactly 90 days separate the last Bundesliga match for the Bayer 04 women (0-1 against SC Sand) and the restart on Saturday. The squad, led by head coach Achim Feifel, returned to full training last week after previously working individually and then in small groups. The team have been staying at the Große Ledder Hotel in Wermelskirchen since Monday. Previously, the Werkself first team under Peter Bosz used the hotel as the quarantine training camp. The Bayer 04 Women travel to the Kurtekotten Academy by coach every day for training. “We have optimum conditions to prepare for the final phase of the season,” explained Feifel.
However, the situation for the 55-year-old and his players ahead of the game against the team in tenth place is difficult: “Both teams don’t really know where they are at the moment. We haven’t had the chance to play any friendlies. Due to the importance of this game, it will be a very hard-fought match. The opponents need points just like we do to stay in the league. It will be a battle for 90 minutes with Duisburg pushing us all the way.”
For Feifel, the strengths of MSV Duisburg particularly lie in the mentality of the team: “They are a very tough team who are very good and compact in defence. They are well organised when the opposition has possession but can quickly switch to going on the attack with long balls.” That’s why it’s no surprise to Feifel that Duisburg picked up points in the last two matches before the league was suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic: They secured 2-2 draws against SC Freiburg and FC Bayern.
Even after the break, Feifel still has to manage without long-term injuries Melissa Friedrich, Pauline Wimmer (both torn cruciates) and Karoline Heinze (back problems). Isabel Kerschowski is currently sidelined with muscular problems, but a return to full training is expected over the course of next week.
The match at Kurtekotten will be played behind closed doors due to the coronavirus pandemic. Werkself fans can watch the game live on DFB-TV (tv.dfb.de). And the FLYERALARM Women’s Bundesliga has also attracted a lot of interest abroad: The Scottish TV broadcaster BBC Alba will show selected matches in the UK including the away game for the Bayer 04 Women at TSG 1899 Hoffenheim on 5 June.

A fresh look for the BayArena: The Bayer 04 stadium will have new seating in the form of folding seats for the 2026/27 campaign that will ensure significantly improved seating comfort and simplified movement within the rows of seats. As part of routine replacement after 17 years, fans of the Werkself were able to purchase the existing seats, used to witness the first German league title in the club's history. In addition, a large proportion of the seats will be donated to charitable projects, primarily in the local region. Bayer 04 fans can look forward to new, functional folding seats for the season opener at the beginning of August - still in the club colours of black and red, of course. A glimpse at the BayArena during the refurbishment.
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On Monday evening, 8 June, around 250 people came to the Bürgerhaus Baumberg at the invitation of Bayer 04 to find out details of the new plans for the campus on Alfred-Nobel-Straße at an information event. More compact, greener and with many advantages for Monheim am Rhein - those are the aims. There were lively discussions for around three hours and some misunderstandings were cleared up.
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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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When Malik Tillman arrived at Bayer 04 Leverkusen from PSV Eindhoven last summer, he did more than just add attacking midfield strength to the team — he reconnected the club with a unique and understated American lineage that stretches back more than three decades.
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Bayer 04 are away to third-division club SV Wehen Wiesbaden in the first round of the 2026/27 DFB Pokal. That was the outcome of the draw on Saturday night, 6 June, at the German Football Museum in Dortmund. The Werkself first round tie will be played between 21 and 24 August. The exact date has yet to be finalised.
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