"Over the last few weeks I have realised what the derby means to the fans as well as the context at the club and beyond. We can't wait for the derby and we are really looking forward to a special atmosphere at the stadium," said Pätzold ahead of his first meeting with FC Köln as a coach at Leverkusen: "We will be a little more motivated as is required to go into a derby with the appropriate focus and ambition."
Despite being eleventh in the table, still without a win and with just two points in the season to date, the 45-year-old coach sounded a warning about underestimating the FC Köln Women. "Just looking at the table it seems like we go into the game as the clear favourites," said Pätzold but he stressed: "They have players of very high individual ability. When they bring the quality of their team onto the pitch they can be dangerous for any opponent." Looking at the table does "not play a big role" in preparation for the clash with the team from Cologne coached by Daniel Weber.
For the first fixture on Matchday 8, the Werkself coach can again count on his returning international players. A total of nine Bayer 04 Women have been away on international duty and only returned to full training at the Kurtekotten Performance Centre during the week. "That makes preparation for a league game, especially one being played on Friday night, incredibly difficult," said Pätzold: "But over the last few months we have taken on board the way we play so that we can go into the match with positive expectations despite the circumstances." Pätzold is also sure that the experience of winning, which several players have had with their national teams, will "inspire great confidence."
For the derby, Pätzold will have to manage without Julia Mickenhagen, suspended after being sent off in the 3-2 defeat against FC Bayern, Synne Skinnes Hansen (thigh), Melissa Friedrich (rehab training) and Paulina Bartz (illness). There is also a question mark over the injured forward Vanessa Haim. Sofia Cava Marin faces a longer spell on the sidelines after suffering a torn cruciate in the friendly against Feyenoord (2-2).
Tickets for the match at the Franz Kremer Stadium are available from the FC Köln online shop HERE. The seated area H is allocated to away fans. The matchday ticket office will be open according to availability. The match will be broadcast live by the two streaming providers MagentaSport and DAZN.
After eight years in the youth set-up at Bayer 04 Leverkusen, Benjamin Adam is leaving the club. The 35-year-old, who most recently coached the Leverkusen U17s, will take charge of the Hansa Rostock U19 team next season.
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There was a successful end to the women's internationals with Werkself players Carlotta Wamser and Cornelia Kramer qualifying for the 2027 World Cup finals in Brazil. A third Leverkusen player is still in with a chance of joining them. The Germany U23 players also experienced success in their last two international friendlies of the season.
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Traveling to North America for the World Cup this summer to see your favorite Bayer 04 players? Here’s a quick cheat sheet with thumbnail portraits and insider tips for each city from a local expert, so you can make the most of your visit and activities beyond the game!
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A fresh look for the BayArena: The Bayer 04 stadium will have new seating in the form of folding seats for the 2026/27 campaign that will ensure significantly improved seating comfort and simplified movement within the rows of seats. As part of routine replacement after 17 years, fans of the Werkself were able to purchase the existing seats, used to witness the first German league title in the club's history. In addition, a large proportion of the seats will be donated to charitable projects, primarily in the local region. Bayer 04 fans can look forward to new, functional folding seats for the season opener at the beginning of August - still in the club colours of black and red, of course. A glimpse at the BayArena during the refurbishment.
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