Bayer 04 Women seal late 3-2 win against Werder Bremen

Compared with the 2–0 win after extra time in the first round of the DFB Pokal against Viktoria Berlin, Pätzold made five changes to his starting line-up. Goalkeeper Rafaela Borggräfe, captain Carolin Simon, Claudia Wenger, Kramer and two-goal scorerMaja Sternad replaced Charlotte Voll, Justine Brandau, Lumbardha Misini, Caroline Kehrer and Lobke Loonen.

Following their DFB Pokal win, Bayer 04 were determined to secure their first home win of the season in their third match on their own turf and move above Werder Bremen in the table in this head-to-head clash. However, Werder quickly made it clear that this would be no easy task. After a lively and evenly matched opening phase, the team from Bremen –with vociferous support – gradually took control and created a number of chances. The best chance fell to Mej Shimada following a misplaced pass by Borggräfe in build-up play – but the Bayer 04 keeper made amends and pulled off a fine save to deny the Japanese player’s shot (15’).

two unlucky goals conceded

Five minutes later, the Leverkusen goalkeeper was back in the spotlight. Whilst attempting a punch clearance, she made contact with Michelle Ulbrich without touching the ball – and referee Julia Boike awarded a penalty. Borggräfe was injured in the incident and had to be substituted after a lengthy spell of treatment. Voll stepped in between the posts, but was powerless to prevent Luna Vanzeir’s powerfully struck penalty from putting Werder Bremen 1–0 up (26’).

Although the Werkself tried to respond quickly, the run of play did not favour the home side: just five minutes after conceding the first goal, Voll was beaten again, and once more she had no chance. A seemingly harmless long-range effort from Michelle Weiß was deflected by Selina Ostermeier in an unstoppable manner to make it 2-0 (31’).

Werder Bremen now sat back more and relied on quick counter-attacks after winning the ball. However, Bayer 04 were unable to convert their increasing possession into chances and struggled to break down Werder’s tightly packed defence. In terms of their play, Pätzold’s side were unable to build on the strong performances from their first two home matches in the first half, which was extended by seven minutes. The score at half-time was 2-0. And given Werder’s 6–0 lead in shots on goal, this was a thoroughly deserved scoreline, despite a narrow advantage in possession in favour of Bayer 04. 

two goals in three Minutes

After the break, Pätzold brought on Marlene Müller on for Simon – and the 25-year-old slotted straight into the game, with a long-range effort narrowly missing the Werder Bremen goal (48'). The Werkself came out for the second half with noticeably more momentum and confidence and were soon rewarded for their now significantly improved performance: with an outstanding assist from Loreen Bender, who broke through down the right flank and delivered a quick pass into the penalty area, Kramer scored from a tight angle to pull one back (54'). But that wasn’t all. Just two minutes later, the Danish player was on hand again, this time with a header from a corner. Within just nine minutes of the restart, Bayer 04 had levelled the score. 

The Leverkusen women were not content with the draw. Bayer 04 were now in control of the match, pressing Werder high up the pitch and laying siege to the Bremen goal. On 69 minutes, loud cheers could once again be heard at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium. However, the goal for 3-2 – scored once again from a corner – was disallowed by referee Boike.

Shortly afterwards, however, the moment finally arrived: Paulina Tomasiak dribbled her way into the penalty area and laid the ball off to Loonen, who came on as a substitute less than a minute earlier; she kept her cool and, from five metres out, scored her first goal of the season to make it 3–2 (81'). The Leverkusen players defended the lead with great passion right until the end – and thus celebrated their first home win of the season.

Next up: Eintracht Frankfurt after the international break

A number of Leverkusen players will be away on international duty with their respective teams over the coming days. Action in the Google Pixel Women’s Bundesliga will not resume for another two weeks. On Saturday 17 October (14:001 CEST), the Werkself face Eintracht Frankfurt at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium on matchday seven. Tickets for the game are available HERE at the ticket web shop.

Match stats:

Bayer 04: Borggräfe (Voll 25’) – Merino Gonzalez, Turanyi, Ostermeier, Simon (Müller 46’) – Wenger, Zdebel (Platner 86’) – Bender, Tomasiak – Kramer, Sternad (Kehrer 86’)

Werder Bremen: Fischer – Weiß, Ulbrich, Gutmann, Zieniewicz – Vanzeir (Mahmoud 84’), Wirtz, Hipp (Desic 67’) - Dhont (Sträßer 84’), Shimada, Jaron (Gmeineder 67’)

Goals: 0–1 Vanzeir (26’ pen.), 0–2 Weiß (31’), 1–2 Kramer (54’), 2–2 Kramer (56’), 3–2 Loonen (81’)

Yellow cards:Dhont, Gutmann, Wirtz, Jaron, Ulbrich – Zdebel, Borggräfe, Pätzold

Referee: Julia Boike (Altenstadt)

Attendance: 1,102 at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium