Boboy secures point against SGS Essen

Compared with the line-up in the 3-2 defeat at league leaders Eintracht Frankfurt, Pätzold made two changes to his starting XI. Captain Friederike Repohl was back in goal after recovering from a viral infection with the number two keeper Charlotte Voll on the bench. Winter signing Ruby Grant replaced the injured former Essen player Katharina Piljic (not in squad) for her first start. Synne Skinnes Hansen and Paulina Bartz were back in the squad for the first time after months on the sidelines.

battle for control of the game

Playing in their usual Black and Red kit, the hosts fought with a lively SGS Essen side to gain the upper hand. The first attempt on goal from Kristin Kögel, set up by Cornelia Kramer, went a couple of metres wide of the upright (7’). After that, the Werkself lacked precision in the final third and Essen resisted with a lot of physical commitment. The visitors then had to rely on their keeper. The Germany international Sophia Winkler first parried an effort from Caroline Kehrer and then made an impressive save to deny Janou Levels (19').

As the game went on, the Bayer 04 Women pressed their opponents back into their own half without creating clear-cut chances. From a corner, Estrella Merino Gonzalez failed to connect properly with the ball from a bicycle kick and it trickled out of play (28'). The Leverkusen Women grew stronger by the minute and the next shot from Kögel was deflected away for a corner (37'). The scoreline at half-time was 0-0 despite the Pätzold team having nine shots on goal to two and plenty of possession.

There were no changes at half-time and the Werkself were immediately on the front foot again as at the start of the game. The visitors then took the lead out of the blue from a set piece: The Leverkusen Women were unable to fully clear a corner allowing Natasha Kowalski a second chance to cross. The ball found Beke Sterner who headed in from close range (53'). Repohl, conceding the first goal after five clean sheets in succession, did not stand a chance.

Pätzold reacted to going behind with a triple substitution. Julia Mickenhagen, Juliette Vidal and Boboy came on for Kögel, Grant and Karolina Lea Vilhjalmsdottirir (59’). Substitute Boboy scored nine minutes later. Levels crossed the ball into the penalty area from a quickly taken corner where the striker was in the right place to volley the ball into the net off the underside of the bar (68').

The Werkself had more and more of the game as they looked to take the lead. Essen showed great courage in defence. The strong in the air central defender Emilie Bragstad and Bartz, making her first appearance of the season, came on for the final minutes of the game. However, Bayer 04 were unable to land the winning blow.

outlook: DFB Pokal quarter final against werder Bremen

The Bayer 04 Women have their next home game on Wednesday: With the kick-off at 18.30 CET, league rivals Werder Bremen are the opposition at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium for a place in the DFB Pokal semi-finals. Tickets for the game are available HERE at the Bayer 04 online shop. The Werkself are then back in action in the Google Pixel Women's Bundesliga away to TSG Hoffenheim on Sunday, 16 February (14.00 CET).

Match stats:

Bayer 04: Repohl - Merino Gonzalez, S. Ostermeier, Turanyi, Levels - Zdebel, Grant (Vidal 59’) - Vilhjalmsdottir (Boboy 59’), Kögel (Mickenhagen 59’) - Kramer (Bartz 86’), Kehrer (Bragstad 86’)

SGS Essen: Winkler - Sterner, Meißner, Pucks, L. Ostermeier - Fürst, Rieke - Purtscheller (Terlinden 90+2’), Kowalski, Elmazi (Potsi 70’/Ter Horst 80’) - Maier (Berentzen 80’)

Goals: 0-1 Sterner (53’), 1-1 Boboy (68’)

Yellow cards: Turanyi, Levels - Fürst, Kowalski, Rieke

Referee: Franziska Wildfeuer (Lützen)

Attendance: 723 at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium