The roles ahead of the match between the team in fourth and the team at the bottom the table, who drew 0-0 against fellow promoted Carl Zeiss Jena on the last matchday to pick up their first point of the season, are clearly defined. "They kept a clean sheet for the first time and that will give them a boost," said Pätzold: "We are primarily focusing on ourselves, looking to control the ball and we will put in a lot of effort to open up space and play when we are in possession." But that will not be enough on its own: "We will be patient and have to pack the penalty area," he said: "So we can create lots of goalscoring opportunities and hopefully be clinical in taking them."
By coincidence, the Werkself will play Turbine Potsdam at the same venue in the DFB Pokal Round of 16 twelve days after the Bundesliga fixture. In preparation for Sunday, the second meeting on Friday, 22 November (kick-off: 18.00 CET, tickets available HERE), is irrelevant to Pätzold. "A lot can happen up to the Pokal game. Our focus is exclusively on Sunday," said the 45-year-old: "Of course, we will be able to reuse a lot in the analysis ahead of the Pokal game."
Pätzold will be able to coach his team from the dugout in the DFB Pokal tie. After being sent off in added time in the derby at FC Köln (2-1) the coach will have to watch Bundesliga game from the stands. But that should not change the approach to the game. "Above all else, it is down to the players and our influence from the sidelines is limited. So not much will change in our play," he declared: "I was fully involved in training this week and I will certainly lead the pre-match team meeting. We have a big team of coaches who will be actively involved in coaching at the match. So we don't pay too much attention to that issue and I have a lot of confidence in the players and my colleagues."
The previous performances give Pätzold reason enough for that belief. "We've had a really good Hinrunde and we want to carry on picking up as many points as possible. As up to now, we will invest a lot of effort in that," he said: "We've never set ourselves a target of a specific number of points. We go into matches with ambition, and to play our game against every opponent on the pitch." Knowing that the current position in the table is "a snapshot", the Berliner is a long way from being satisfied: "We’ve had even more potential in lots of games and our challenge is to be even better and more consistent."
In addition to the long-term injury to Sofia Cava Marin (torn cruciate), Synne Skinnes Hansen (thigh injury) and Vanessa Haim (back problem) are still sidelined. Melissa Friedrich and Paulina Bartz (both now in rehab training) are still not an option for the squad.
Tickets for the match at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium are available in advance HERE at the online shop and from the matchday ticket office on the day of the game. The two streaming services MagentaSport and DAZN are broadcasting the game live.
Werkself-TV shows the highlights of the Bayer 04 women's 1-2 loss against VfL Wolfsburg on the 2nd matchday of the Google Pixel Women's Bundesliga 2026/27.
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Bayer 04’s eight opponents in the group stage of the 2026/27 UEFA Europa League have been confirmed. At the draw on Friday 28 August held at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco, the Werkself were drawn against two opponents from each of the four pots. There are a total of four home and four away matches. Read on for details of opponents and fixture dates.
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In the 3-2 defeat at Bundesliga newcomers SV 07 Elversberg, the Werkself found the back of the net in the closing stages and, with a bit of luck, could still have equalised. “Today, our play wasn’t good enough, particularly when it came to the basics,” said head coach Carles Martínez. Like the boss, Ibrahim Maza also wants to learn from the match and look ahead: “Next week, people should be able to see from the very first minute that we want it more than our opponents.” The Werkself review on the Bundesliga opener in 2026/27.
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Werkself TV shows the highlights of Bayer 04's 2-3 loss at SV 07 Elversberg on Matchday 1 of the 2026/27 Bundesliga season...
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No points to start the league campaign: Bayer 04 lost 3-2 away to newly promoted SV 07 Elversberg in the first Bundesliga match of the 2026/27 campaign. Two quick-fire goals from Lukas Petkov (8’) and Cole Campbell (10’) gave the hosts an early lead, before David Mokwa scored the Saarland side’s third shortly after half-time (46’). In the closing stages, the Werkself rallied and staged a late comeback with goals from Patrik Schick (77’) and Christian Kofane (90+1’), but the Black and Reds were denied an equaliser.
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