The Black and Reds headed south without having played a single external friendly. Ahead of the opening fixture, Feifel stressed: "We’ll only get our feedback from our pre-season in Freiburg." Reminded of his statement, the satisfied coach said after the winning the game: "The girls stood up, gave their all and were rewarded for their efforts!"
In the opening stages of the game in front of 100 selected spectators at the Möslestadion, there was no sign of the lack of match practice for the visitors. In their pre-season, Freiburg had three friendlies against Bundesliga rivals and were able to initially take control of the game on their own turf. "We found it a bit difficult at the start. Freiburg gave everything. It was to be expected that we were unable to deal with this intensity given the absence of friendlies in our pre-season," Feifel declared. His team went into half-time 1-0 down. Summer signing Lilla Turanyi was unfortunate to handle the ball in the box and Freiburg's Rebecca Knaak made no mistake from the penalty spot (45+ 1').
The Werkself Women went into half-time having conceded the goal is an unfortunate moment in the game. However, experienced members of the squad led by new captain Jessica Wich plus Feifel and his assistant coach Jacqueline Dünker appeared to find the right words. In the second half, the visitors came back into the game and took control of proceedings – which on this occasion was down to the substitutes. "They were able to significantly increase the level of our game," Feifel declared and he was able to celebrate twice late on.
Substitute Csiszar set up the other substitute Rackow on 87 minutes. The 19-year-old won the ball in the penalty area was able to put the ball away to level the scores. The provider of the assist was then able to score herself shortly after that: Juliane Wirtz squared the ball to the far post for her to net the winning goal. The final whistle came shortly after that and the Bayer 04 Women secured a winning start to the new season. "We did have a bit of luck but in the end it was thoroughly deserved," said the extremely satisfied Feifel.
Immediately after the game, the Werkself Women returned to the Rhineland on the team coach. After a night's rest, Wich and Co. have a regeneration session or light training on Monday. The Leverkusen Women then have their first home game of the new league campaign on Friday, 11 September. The match at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium – unfortunately played behind closed doors – against MSV Duisburg kicks off at 19.15 CET.
Match stats:
SC Freiburg: Nuding – Bürger (Memeti 69'), Hoffmann, Karl, Kayikci, Knaak, Minge, Müller (Sanders 78'), Starke, Steuerwald, Vojtekova
Bayer 04: Klink – Brüggemann, Jessen, Kerschowski (Wirtz 63'), Kögel (Pinther 56'), Matysik (Csiszar 63'), Rudelic, Sahlmann, Turanyi, Wich, Zeller (Rackow 82')
Goals: 1-0 Knaak (45+1’ pen.), 1-1 Rackow (87’), 1-2 Csiszar (90+1’)
Booked: Starke / Brüggemann, Sahlmann
Referee: Fabienne Michel (Gau-Odernheim)
Attendance: 100
A simple approach to sport with games, fun and a highlight at the end: Bayer 04 organised a very special training session for 40 participants aged between six and 27 in cooperation with the Football Association of the Middle Rhine (FVM). At the day of action for women and girls with disabilities at the Kurtekotten Performance Centre, many of the participants gained their first experience of football.
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On Saturday, 28 March, the lights will go out again at the BayArena from 20:30 pm to 21:30. As in previous years, Bayer 04 once again take part in the WWF Earth Hour campaign under the motto "We're switching off" as the club wants to set a collective example for more climate and environmental protection together with people, cities and companies around the world.
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Less than a year ago, Kerim Alajbegovic moved from the Bayer 04 U19s to Austrian top-flight club FC Red Bull Salzburg. The forward’s development since then has been impressive. In 36 matches, including in the UEFA Europa League, the 18-year-old has scored 14 goals. In the summer, Alajbegovic, now a Bosnia international, will return to Leverkusen - and thus not only achieve the next milestone still early in his career, but also enrich the Werkself squad with his footballing versatility and determination.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have extended the contract with forward Nathan Tella ahead of schedule. The versatile 26-year-old, who can be deployed as a right winger, false nine or left winger, has penned a new contract to 30 June 2031. Tella joined the Werkself from Championship club Southampton in 2023. His previous contract ran to the summer of 2028.
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Nathan Tella has extended his contract with Bayer 04 to 2031. In an interview with Werkself TV, the 26-year-old talks about fulfilling his dreams, his positive outlook on life and his goals for the future. He answers the questions in English - all except the last one, which he addresses directly to the fans...
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