"Unfortunately, Cecilie hasn't had the minutes she hoped for this season," explained Achim Feifel, sporting director of Bayer 04 Women. "We can't promise her that will change in the new season. In order to continue her development as a player, she's decided on a transfer. We hope that this move pays off for her."
The Danish U23 international moved to Leverkusen from Aarhus GF in her home country last summer. She started on the opening day of the Google Pixel Women's Bundesliga season at VfL Wolfsburg (0-3) and made nine further substitute appearances, as well as two in the DFB Pokal.
"The year in Leverkusen was a big step for me but also a great experience," said Johansen. "I've learned a lot from my teammates and the staff. Hopefully I'll benefit from that when I return to Denmark. I'm also looking forward to concentrating on my studies alongside football, because I've learned that this lifestyle suits me better than being a full-time professional."
It took exactly 60 minutes for the Werkself to take the lead through a perfectly finished counter-attack by Patrik Schick in the first leg of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League play-off at Olympiacos. Referring to the meeting in the league phase and the initially squandered opportunities, coach Kasper Hjulmand said afterwards: "I thought: 'Oh no, déjà-vu.'" But after the opening goal, it took just 144 seconds for the Czech to spark more wild celebrations among those in black and red in the Greek cauldron, when Schick nodded in Alejandro Grimaldo's corner. Much to the delight of the Bayer 04 fans, his teammates and his coach, who had warm words for the striker in the aftermath. The Werkself Review.
Show more
Werkself TV shows highlights of the 2-0 win at Olympiacos in the first leg of the play-offs of the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 league...
Show more
The Werkself beat Olympiacos 2-0 in the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League play-off first leg to claim a crucial victory in the Greek capital. After a focused first-half display with a number of presentable chances, Patrik Schick crowned a textbook counter to hand the Werkself the lead on the hour (60’). The Czech rounded off his brace when he headed in from a corner just 144 seconds later. Bayer 04 maintained their lead with aplomb to achieve a good position for the return leg in Leverkusen.
Show more
Bayer 04 and Olympiacos had only met twice before the current UEFA Champions campaign. After the encounter on Matchday 7 of this season’s league phase, the Werkself travel to face the Greek side for the second time in just four weeks for the knockout play-off first leg. The Black and Reds were dominant for large spells in mid-January but lost 2-0 after missing a number of presentable chances. The Werkself aim to do better on Wednesday night to “seize the chance for revenge,” as managing director sport Simon Rolfes put it. Here’s all you need to know ahead of the game in our matchday news.
Show more
