Regional awards for two Bayer 04 women's players: Bundesliga debutant Julia Mickenhagen and captain Elisa Senß were successful at the sports awards in their home districts. Mickenhagen, from Wipperfürth, who made her senior debut for the Black-and-Reds in the 2-1 win at 1. FC Nürnberg in February, finished second in the voting in the Oberbergischer Kreis.
Midfielder Senß, a Germany international since December and candidate for the Olympics squad, came out on top from the five nominees in the Oldenburg district and was crowned 'Sportswoman of the Year' for the first time.
There was something to smile about for at least one Bayer 04 player in last Friday's disappointing 1-0 defeat at RB Leipzig: Sofie Zdebel, who made her Bundesliga debut in March 2021, registered her 50th competitive appearance for the works club at the age of just 19. She's the fifth player from the current squad to reach this figure, after Melissa Friedrich (98 appearances), Kristin Kögel (87), Lilla Turányi (82) and Sylwia Matysik (64). Friederike Repohl is likely to be the next to join the 50 club. The goalkeeper, who extended her contract at the end of March, is currently on 46 appearances for Bayer 04.
In the U17 Bundesliga West/Southwest, it's set to be an extremely exciting final matchday with no fewer than five teams still in with a chance of finishing top and thereby qualifying for the finals for the national championship. The Bayer 04 U17 side, coached by Aleksandar Vukicevic, are lingering in fifth place with 35 points after a 2-0 defeat at 1. FFC Kaiserslautern and host leaders Borussia Mönchengladbach (36 points) on Saturday 27 April (14:00 CEST) at the Performance Centre at Kurtekotten. Only the winner of the regional division qualifies for the semi-final against SpVg Aurich.
Last season, Vukicevic's team won the final against the same opponents to secure the first U17 girls' title in the history of Bayer 04.
A first win in the preseason: In the last friendly before the start of a two-week break in training, the Bayer 04 Women beat top-flight Dutch side Ajax 1-0. In the match played over three 30-minute thirds Vanessa Fudalla scored the goal for the Werkself. In the previous two friendlies this summer, the team led by head coach Roberto Pätzold lost 2-0 two Bundesliga rivals TSG Hoffenheim and drew 1-1 with the Dutch team PEC Zwolle.
Show moreAlejo Sarco has joined the Werkself training camp in Brazil. The 19-year-old striker, signed from Argentinian club Vélez Sarsfield in January, talks to bayer04.de about his first six months in Germany, help from Exequiel Palacios and his targets up to the end of the year.
Show moreThe friendly against the CR Flamengo U20 team on Friday, 18 July (kick-off: 14:30/19:30 CEST) represents the sporting highlight of the current Bayer 04 Brazil Tour. Ahead of the clash at the Estádio da Gávea against the highly successful youth team, there was a media event with the two Bayer 04 managing directors Fernando Carro and Simon Rolfes plus head coach Erik ten Hag. The trio talked about the forthcoming opponents, first impressions of Brazil and the reasons for holding the training camp in the land of the five-time World Cup winners. Here are the key statements.
Show moreDay three of the Bayer 04 Brazil Tour. Today, Thursday 17 July, sees the two new signings Jarell Quansah and Christian Kofane join the squad in training. Plus the former Werkself players Paulo Sergio and Rodrigo Chagas visit the Bayer AG Football School. In the afternoon there is a big media event ahead of the friendly against the Flamengo U20s. As usual, Bayer04.de keeps you up-to-date with on-the-spot reports. The blog for day three of the Bayer 04 Brazil Tour (timings given in local time).
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