Bayer 04 Women win in Leipzig to keep Champions League chance alive

Pätzold started with the same team that began last week’s 4-0 victory away at Essen, but it was Leipzig who made the better start when Lisa Baum cut inside onto her left foot and beat Rafaela Borggräfewith only four minutes gone. Buoyed by the early lead, the hosts pressed and allowed Leverkusen little room to play. Baum tried her luck from range looking for a second but fired wide. Emilia Asgeirdottir’s effort forced Borggräfe into a save with just 11 minutes on the clock.

Kramer levels

Carlotta Wamser offered the first sign of life from Bayer 04, but her cross was collected by Elvira Herzog in the Leipzig goal. However, the Werkself levelled with their first real attack as Piljicplayed the ball out to Loreen Benderwide on the right. Kramer then got on the end of the low cross to net for the third game running. The equaliser sparked Pätzold’s side into life, with Vanessa Fudalla​’s first-time effort going only narrowly wide. The Werkself appeared in control of proceedings but almost went behind again through ex-Leverkusen player Delice Boboy as she struck the post.​

However, the Werkself made their next opportunity count when Fudalla found Piljic, who picked out the corner from the left of centre for her fifth goal of the season, prior to her summer move to Wolfsburg. Borggräfe managed to make up for her own misplaced pass when one-on-one with Annabel Schasching as her team took a 2-1 lead into half-time.

Rudy adds sparkle to result

Borggräfe was again forced into a save to deny Andrea Norheim’s header and Piljic’s curling effort went wide after the restart as play continued at a good tempo. Lilla Turanyi and Grant came on for Claudia Wenger and Bender, who were both on yellow cards. Wamser had two attempts to put the game to bed but couldn’t beat Herzog. However, the third goal finally came in the 80th minute when Piljic fed Grant, who put away her first Leverkusen goal to wrap up all three points.

Final outing against Bremen

The curtain comes down on 2025/26 with a home fixture against Werder Bremen at the Ulrich-Haberland-Stadion as Bayer 04 try and earn their place in Champions League qualifying for the first time ever. All Matchday 26 games kick off at 14:00 CEST on Sunday.

Match stats:

RB Leipzig: Herzog - Krug (Chmielinski 68'), Norheim (Grunenberg 87'), Landenberger, Dudek - Asgeirsdottir (Spitzner 87'), Starke (Magerl 87'), Schasching - Baum, Boboy, Müller

Bayer 04: Borggräfe - Merino Gonzalez, Wenger (Turanyi 63'), Ostermeier, Wamser - Piljic, Zdebel - Bender, Kögel (Mickenhagen 83') - Fudalla (Mädl 83'), Kramer

Goals: 1-0 Baum (4'), 1-1 Kramer (18'), 1-2 Piljic (38'), 1-3 Grant (80')

Yellow cards: Wenger, Turanyi, Bender

Referee: Lara Wolf

Attendance: 933 at the Cottaweg Training Centre