Robert, your time in Leverkusen is coming to an end after two years. How do you feel about leaving Bayer 04 at the end of the season?
De Pauw: “It was a very nice time, and I look back on it with a good feeling. The team has developed well, which is emphasised by the results. At the beginning of my time, the team had hardly any confidence after many defeats. We then tried to establish a clear identity. It's nice to see that this impact is recognisable.”
Which experiences do you remember the most?
De Pauw: “Derby victories are always particularly nice, and we've managed that twice this season. Last season, we managed to prevent Bayern from winning the title early with a draw. This year, we've emphasised that we can keep games open against the top teams and even win them. Bayern were still a step too far, but we at least managed a draw against Wolfsburg.”
How would you sum up the 2023/24 season?
De Pauw: “The fact that we came close to breaking Bayer 04's points record [33 points from the 2020/21 season] is a great sign. Nevertheless, we still dropped a few points, especially away from home. But every development also includes downs. The goal was always to finish in the top five, which we achieved once and just missed out on once. Nevertheless, the big gap between fourth place and the rest of the league from last year no longer exists. We can build on that in the future.”
Which players have surprised you the most during your time here?
De Pauw: “Friederike Repohl has developed really well thanks to her footballing skills and has established herself as first-choice goalkeeper. Elisa Senß came from Essen and became a senior international here. Jill Baijings made the leap to Bayern through us. Kristin Kögel has gone from being a team player to an absolute leader. Then there are young players like Sofie Zdebel, who have developed into regulars. Loreen Bender and Estrella Merino Gonzalez are also still very young and have a lot of potential. I could actually tell a separate story about each player. Some of the players in the team can still go very far.”
What do you think Bayer 04 Women can achieve in the coming years?
De Pauw: “I hope that we can get even closer to the top teams than we did this year. The foundation has been laid. Now it's up to the people in charge to build on that.”
What's next for you and your assistant coach Jessie van den Broek?
De Pauw: “There are also some options abroad and it could well be that we will work together again. Talks are ongoing and we'll have to wait and see what happens.”
And now you have more time for your daughters and your wife in the summer?
De Pauw: “I hope so. But that also depends on the discussions about the future. Until then, I want to make the most of the time with my family.”
Many thanks and all the best for the future!
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Alejo Sarco and Argentina won their second group match at the U20 World Cup in Chile on Wednesday night. They beat Australia 4-1 with Sarco setting the tone early with a goal in the third minute. As in the first group game against Cuba, where Sarco scored twice, the 19-year-old was also named "Player of the Match" against Australia.
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Second game, second draw in the UEFA Champions League 2025/26: The Werkself were held to a 1-1 draw by Dutch champions PSV Eindhoven on matchday two in the league phase. After an early but brief setback in the form of an offside goal by Ivan Perisic for the visitors (5'), the Werkself took control and created numerous good chances in the first half. Leverkusen took a deserved lead after the break in the 65th minute through Christian Kofane. However, PSV's Ismael Saibari replied a few minutes later to level at 1-1 (72').
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Bayer 04 beat PSV Eindhoven 3-2 on matchday two to clock up the next three points in the UCL Youth League 2025/26. In front of just under 500 spectators at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium, the visitors from the Netherlands led at half-time, but the Werkself turned the game round in the second 45. That makes it two wins on the bounce after the victory in Copenhagen.
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