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
With seven points, Mainz 05 are currently joint seventh, level on points with sixth-placed Bayer 04. In today’s head-to-head clash (kick-off: 15:30 CEST), the Werkself must be particularly wary of the clinical Mainz strike duo. For Leverkusen fans who have left it to the last minute, there are still a few tickets available from the matchday ticket office. Those following the Black and Reds from home, on the other hand, have a choice: RTL is broadcasting the match on free-to-air TV, and Werkself Radio is also offering the expert commentary of former Bayer 04 player Falko Götz. Today’s matchday news.
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Back from the international break: On Saturday 10 October (kick-off: 15:30 CEST), the Werkself are away to Mainz 05. Ahead of the clash at the MEWA ARENA against the side currently sixth in the table, head coach Carles Martínez spoke, amongst other things, about the team’s work during the extended international break. The Spaniard also commented, when asked, on a number of squad matters, including Ibrahim Maza.
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FSV Mainz 05 went into the international break on the back of an away win at Borussia Mönchengladbach. Currently sixth in the table, the Rheinhessen side – who have been impressive on the road – now aim to continue their good start to the Bundesliga campaign at home when they face the Werkself on Saturday, 10 October (kick-off: 15:30 CEST). In terms of squad selection, Urs Fischer once again has more options at his disposal. Up front, the Mainz coach is likely to continue relying on what is currently the league’s most successful strike partnership. The lowdown on our next opponents.
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Thomas Eichin has been working for Bayer 04 for six years – as Director of Professional Teams since July 2023 – and has contributed to the successful development of our club in many areas. Today, Friday 9 October, Freiburg-born Eichin is celebrating his 60th birthday. We wish him a very happy birthday.
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Together with his family, friends and close associates, Bayer 04 Leverkusen bid farewell to Peter Hermann. The club’s long-serving assistant manager passed away on 19 September following a serious illness. Today, Thursday 8 October, Bayer 04 held an event attended by around 200 invited guests to commemorate Peter Hermann’s legacy. Representatives from the DFB and the other professional clubs where Hermann worked paid their respects to him at the BayArena.
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