Closely fought top-of-the-table clash: Bayer 04 Women suffer narrow defeat to Wolfsburg

Following the 2-0 opening-day win at RB Leipzig, Pätzold made two changes to his starting XI. Summer signing Paulina Platner (making her first start) and Estrella Merino Gonzalez were in the line-up in place of Carlotta Wamser and Loreen Bender.

Müller hits the bar

In the early stages, both teams initially cancelled each other out and were reluctant to take risks. The Werkself relied on high pressing and gave the Wolves little space in attack. When Cora Zicai sent in a cross from the left, Rafaela Borggräfe in the Leverkusen goal to make her first save (14'). At the other end, a set-piece created danger. Following a corner from Merino Gonzalez, Marlene Müller hit the crossbar with a volley, and Lilla Turanyi headed the rebound just over the bar (16’). Just one minute later, Vanessa Fudalla was denied by VfL goalkeeper Stina Johannes. At the other end, a cross from Svenja Huth hit the left-hand post. A long-range shot from Fudalla shortly after that lacked the necessary power (23'). Somewhat surprisingly, the visitors then took the lead. Ella Peddemors powered past Turanyi on a solo run and slotted the ball past the helpless Borggräfe into the left-hand corner of the net (24').

Despite falling behind, the home side kept their cool and worked hard to level. However, during this phase, VfL did not allow the Werkself any clear-cut chances like the one that led to the opening goal. Instead, after losing possession during build-up play, Borggräfe prevented going 2-0 down in a one-on-one with Zicai (41'). Leverkusen went into half-time trailing by a single goal.

Zicai responds to Ostermeier leveller

A set piece gave the Werkself a well-deserved equaliser shortly after the restart. A corner from captain Carolin Simon was flicked on by Platner to Ostermeier, who smashed the ball into the net from close range (51’). The Wolves response was not long in coming. Zicai created space for herself in the penalty area and fired a shot into the far corner (59’). Pätzold reacted with a double substitution. Paulina Tomasiak and debutant Justine Brandau came on for Fudalla and Simon (62').

Three minutes later, Borggräfe and Ostermeier combined to prevent the Werkself going 3-1 behind. First, the goalkeeper brought Peddemors to a halt, then the goalscorer cleared the follow-up shot off the line. Shortly afterwards, Borggräfe was also on hand to frustrate a Zicai long-range effort. She did the same to the attacking player’s shot from just left of centre. Following a header from Camilla Küver, Borggräfe was once again on hand (74’). The Werkself made another double substitution. Lumbardha Misini (for Platner) made her debut, and Lobke Loonen replaced Merino Gonzalez (75). Three minutes later, the substitute Dutch striker missed the best chance to equalise with a header. In the closing stages, the Werkself continued to press, but as Müller was also denied by Johannes shortly before the end (88'), it was not enough to make it 2–2.

next up: away to TSG HOffenheim

The Werkself are back in action this coming Friday with their next away match. Pätzold’s side are away to TSG Hoffenheim on matchday 3 with the kick-off at 18:30 CEST.

Match stats:

Bayer 04: Borggräfe – Merino Gonzalez, Turanyi, Ostermeier, Simon (Brandau 62’) - Platner (Misini 75'), Zdebel - Müller, Fudalla (Tomasiak 62’) - Kramer, Sternad (Mädl 85’)

VfL Wolfsburg: Johannes – Bjelde, Kleinherne (Carleer 60'), Küver, Linder (Bogaert 76') - Minge - Huth, Arasniewicz (Bogaert 76'), Peddemors, Zicai (Zicai 85’) - Kerim-Lindland (Prasnikar 60')

Goals: 0–1 Peddemors (24'), 1–1 Ostermeier (51'), 1–2 Zicai (59')

Yellow cards: Pätzold, Misini, Bade (goalkeeping coach)

Referee: Franziska Wildfeuer (Viechtach)

Attendance: 1,184 at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium