Given a few days to digest last weekend’s 2-2 draw at home to Eintracht Frankfurt, the coach was able to see the positives from the result. “We showed we can score goals against a top team as well and handle setbacks. At the same time, we’ve still got the potential to convert more possession in the final third into chances. But all in all, we’ve shown we’re very much capable of competing,” said the 45-year-old.
Including the 2-0 win at Karlsruhe in the DFB Pokal, the Werkself boast a positive aggregate result of 7-4 from their three competitive fixtures thus far this season. It’s a return they can very much build on. “We’ve allowed very little so far from open play. But Frankfurt had a few chances where we weren’t alert. So, some defensive points have come into focus,” said Pätzold looking back. “In general, I prefer us to score more goals than ground out a 1-0 win,” he added. However, the German coach is far from happy with everything: “We still have potential to be more consistent in all areas. It’s about working on those in the coming weeks to reduce negative outliers.”
The next opportunity to do so comes on Saturday afternoon at the Stadion an der Hafenstraße. Despite Essen’s moderate start to the season on paper with just one point from games against Hoffenheim (2-1 loss) and Köln (2-2 draw), Pätzold expects a strong opponent. “They were two very close games. They fought back very strongly in Cologne. They invest a lot, especially in terms of running, and have a very strong team performance, even if they have individual quality,” said the coach. “That's why they'll demand everything from us. We mustn't give them too many situations in which they can utilise their strength on the break.” It means his team have a clear task: “It’ll be important to be patient and assured on the ball until we can finish off our attacks. Then we will have opportunities to decide the game in our favour.”
An emotional afternoon awaits Katharina Piljic as well. The midfielder was born in Essen and made the step up from youth level to the Bundesliga with SGS. By the time she moved to Bayer 04 in the summer, she had already played 69 games in the top flight for her hometown club. This will be her first return back to where it all began.
Sofie Zdebel and Loreen Bender are not yet available following their elimination from the U20 World Cup against the USA with Germany. Charlotte Voll and Melissa Friedrich (both back in training) and Paulina Bartz (illness) are also still out.
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.
Show more
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.
Show more
Bayer 04 Leverkusen are bringing back Kerim Alajbegovic, who joined Red Bull Salzburg in the summer of 2025. The Bundesliga club activated the buy-back option in the contract with the Bosnia international, who has enjoyed great success at the Austrian top-flight club since the start of the current season. Alajbegovic moved to Salzburg from the Leverkusen U19s last year. The 1.86-metre forward has signed a five-year contract at Leverkusen with a start date of 1 July 2026.
Show more
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.
Show more
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.
Show more
