"Within the meaning of the viability of a match, the replay of a Bundesliga game is the very last resort and only to be carried out within crystal-clear circumstances and legal position," said Thomas Eichin, who is responsible for the Bayer 04 Women's team as the director of professional teams: "From our perspective, the DFB or the DFB referees committee should have prevented this verdict but instead they acted as the instigators and prime movers."
Originally, SC Freiburg appealed against the result and Bayer 04 lodged an appeal against the first verdict in favour of Freiburg after an oral hearing at the DFB sports tribunal. The game has yet to be rescheduled.
In the 88th minute of the match on 31 August at the Dreisamstadion, referee Theresa Hug awarded Leverkusen a penalty. Kristin Kögel fired over the bar but the official allowed the spot-kick to be retaken as goalkeeper Rafaela Borggräfe had moved off her line too early. Kögel converted the second attempt to make it 3-2, the final score.
The return game against SC Freiburg is coming up. The match at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium is on Saturday, 14 December (12.00 CET).
As with the other youth teams (U16 to U19), Bayer 04 are also relying on familiar faces—some in new roles—and fresh impetus from the coaching staff for the 2026/27 season in the younger age groups. An overview of the U11 to U15 teams.
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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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As well as internal changes and familiar faces, Bayer 04 are also looking to bring fresh impetus to the coaching staff of the senior youth squads for the 2026/27 campaign. Here is an overview of the U19, U17 and U16 teams.
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Bayer 04 have signed 16-year-old defensive midfielder Kennet Eichhorn from Hertha Berlin. The Germany U17 international is joining the Werkself from the Berlin Bundesliga 2 club on a long-term contract. Eichhorn made 19 appearances for the Hertha Berlin first team last season, scoring two goals.
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