Back
22.04.2021Women

Women: ‘Show appropriate reaction’ against Essen

When the floodlights come on at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium on Friday night and the Bayer 04 Women entertain SGS Essen on matchday 18 in the FLYERALARM Women’s Bundesliga (kick-off: 19.15 CEST) it will be the starting shot for the season run-in. There are 04 games left to play this term – and the team under head coach Achim Feifel could move a step closer to achieving the target for the season of finishing in the top half of the table on Friday.
crop_unbenannt_0010-410.jpg

Ahead of the West clash, the primary aim for the Bayer 04 Women is to deal with the setback of last weekend’s 2-1 defeat at Werder Bremen. “The effects of the game are still evident in our legs. I didn’t think we would have another game this season as difficult to get into as the one against Bremen,” admitted Achim Feifel, whose contract has been extended by three years this week. “We have to put everything into the final run-in that we can. The Bremen match was definitely not a walk in the park, quite the opposite: Teams threatened by relegation throw everything into the mix from mentality through to the will to win to stay in the league. We weren’t prepared for that in Bremen. We can expect the same against SV Meppen and SC Sand.” The coach wants to see “an appropriate reaction” to the recent defeat in Friday’s game against Essen.

“It will be an open game”

Ahead of the clash, SGS Essen, in seventh place, are not too far behind the Werkself Women with a five-point deficit having played one game less. “Essen lost a lot of key players in the summer and they had to put a new team together but they have progressed well over the course of the season. They have young, hungry players who can counter attack quickly, a dangerous attack and a plan of how to play their games,” warned Feifel. “Therefore, I think it will be an open game.”

Matysik set to make comeback

After a long injury lay-off, Sylwia Matysik will be able to make her comeback against Essen. There is a question mark over Henrietta Csiszár who returned from international duty with Hungary with an ankle problem. Definitely ruled out against SGS are Viktoria Pinther (back problem), Verena Wieder (knee), Lara Marti (calf) and Jessica Wich, who has suffered another knee injury.

Live on Eurosport

For the third time in succession, the Bayer 04 Women’s home game on Friday will be broadcast live on Eurosport. The last two games ended in victory – “Perhaps, we have one or two players who might get a boost when the game is on TV. If that’s the case then hopefully it will work again on Friday,” said the Bayer 04 coach with a smile.

RASENREPORT AS E-PAPER

More on the game, the two squads, matchday information and an interview with Gianna Rackow are in the current RasenreportHERE is the e-paper.

 

Related News

Birthday Schick Free Jersey Print
Fans - 24.01.2026

For Schick's milestone birthday: free print and jersey giveaway

Happy birthday, Patrik Schick! On his special day, it's not just the Czech striker who can look forward to lots of presents and hopefully many more goals – Bayer 04 fans can also get their hands on a free number 14 print when they buy a Werkself jersey today, January 24! In addition, a match-worn jersey belonging to the now 30-year-old will be raffled off among all purchasers next week.

Show more
Die PK vor dem Bundesliga-Heimspiel gegen den SV Werder Bremen | 19. Spieltag
Werkself-TV - 23.01.2026

Hjulmand ahead of #B04SVW: ‘Get into the game better than last time’

The Werkself are looking for the first win of the new calendar year: Ahead of the sold-out Bundesliga home match against SV Werder Bremen on Saturday, 24 January (kick-off: 15:30 CET), head coach Kasper Hjulmand spoke about taking chances, possible winter transfers and a “Lion" returning to the Leverkusen matchday squad.

Show more
Jens Stage und Horst Steffen
Bundesliga - 23.01.2026

Our next opponents: A difficult time for the Green and Whites

Werder Bremen play Bayer 04 for the 90th time in the Bundesliga this Saturday, 24 January (kick-off: 15:30 CET). The overall record so far still favours the Green and Whites, who have 28 wins against the Black and Reds (with 25 defeats and 36 draws). The visit to the BayArena marks the start of a crucial busy week for Werder Bremen with clashes against TSG Hoffenheim and Borussia Mönchengladbach to follow. The lowdown on our next opponents.

Show more
Marc Landwehr
eSports - 23.01.2026

#B04eSports: Nine points and big wins at start of Showdown four

A great start to the new eSports year as the Leverkusen professional gamers pick up nine points in the first three of six matches in the online preliminary round of the fourth showdown of the VBL Club Championship 2025/26. Between big wins, wonder goals and composed performances, there was plenty on offer against VfB Stuttgart, Hannover 96 and FC Augsburg.

Show more