Battling display but out of luck: Women lose at home to SGS Essen

Against bottom side SGS Essen, head coach Pätzold fielded the same starting XI that was unlucky to be knocked out of the DFB-Pokall on penalties at Hamburger SV. Anne Moll continued to deputise in goal for Charlotte Voll, who suffered a dislocated shoulder in the 2-1 defeat at SC Freiburg almost a fortnight ago.

Fudalla lacks precision, Werkself saved by the woodwork

Pätzold announced in the build-up to the match that he wanted to earn the necessary luck to claim a position in the chasing pack. Despite the cold temperatures at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium, that determination was evident from the start. However, the first attacking move came from the Essen team in the shape of Ramona Maier, who was forced to shoot wide of the target at the last moment by Lilla Turanyi  (7'). The Werkself then took control of the game and created two chances: First, a shot from the hard-working skipper Kristin Kögel was headed away for a corner (16'), and just a minute later the midfield dynamo set up striker Vanessa Fudalla but she missed from around six metres out.

The Werkself stayed in contention against an Essen side defending well with an effort from Julia Mickenhagen causing problems for Essen goalkeeper Kim-Lea Sindermann (25'). Her opposite number Anne Moll was in luck shortly after that when one of the visitors' counter-attacks ended with a shot against the Leverkusen crossbar (27’). Pätzold's team were resolute in defending Essen's counter-attacks up to the break, but lacked the same level of commitment in their own attacking play, with the first half ending all square at 0-0.

unlucky goal conceded in hard-fought encounter

The second half also began with a chance for Essen, but the Black and Reds managed to clear the danger. However, the Werkself then ran out of luck: Goalkeeper Moll slipped as she received the ball and her attempt to clear it from the onrushing SGS attacker Laureta Elmazi saw it end up at the feet of Essen's Natasha Kowalski, who scored to give the visitors the lead (58'). The game now became more combative and Bayer 04 looked for an answer at all costs against a deep-lying Essen side: A Loreen Bender shot was parried (66'), substitute Valentina Mädl just failed to connect with a cross (76').

Pätzold also tried to influence the ineffective Black and Red attacking play once more by bringing on Ruby Grant and Vanessa Haim for Sofie Zdebel and Kögel. However, apart from a header from Mädl and another Bender effort, the battling Leverkusen side were unable to create any further danger in front of the opposition goal. The result was a third consecutive defeat.

coming up: friendly in the international break

The Google Pixel Women's Bundesliga is taking a break next weekend. While some Leverkusen players will be away with their national teams, the Werkself have a friendly against Dutch first division side Twente Enschede at the Kurtekotten Performance Centre on Thursday, 27 November (kick-off: 14:00 CET). In the league, the next home match against RB Leipzig follows on Saturday, 6 December (kick-off: 14:00 CET). Tickets for the match are available HERE.

Match stats:

Bayer 04: Moll - Merino Gonzalez, Ostermeier, Turanyi, Mickenhagen - Zdebel (Grant 80’), Piljic - Bender, Kögel (Haim 80’) - Kehrer, Fudalla (Mädl 58’)

SGS Essen: Sindermann - Bäcker, Ostermeier, Pucks - van Belle (Feldkamp 63’), Platner, Fürst, Flach (Berentzen 43’) - Elmazi (Potsi 63’), Kowalski (Köpp 90+5’), Maier

Goals: 0-1 Kowalski (58')

Yellow cards: Ostermeier, Kögel - Berentzen, Maier

Referee: Franziska Wildfeuer (Viechtach)

Attendance: 645 at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium