"Our aim is to solve this challenge. As the favourites, we will go into this away match with maximum respect and focus. Our target is clearly to go through to the next round," said Achim Feifel, Bayer 04 Women's team sporting director.
Following the last first round tie between the two second division clubs FSV Gütersloh 2009 and FC Union Berlin (2-3 on penalties) the former Germany international Verena Schweers under the guidance of the two-time World Cup winner Renate Lingor drew the 16 knockout games. The twelve top-flight sides from the 2023/24 season plus the two teams promoted from the Women's Bundesliga 2 had a bye in the first round. The 32 teams were divided into North and South regional groups.
The Round of 16 will be held between 22 and 24 November with the quarter-finals following on 11 to 13 February 2025. The semi-finals will be played on 22 and 23 March 2025 with the final again being staged at the RheinEnergieSTADION in Cologne as in previous years, this time on 1 May 2025.
The Werkself are currently in the final phase of their pre-season. The last friendly against Fortuna Sittard will be played on Friday, 23 August (kick-off: 14.00 CEST) at the Kurtekotten Performance Centre with four 30 minute quarters. The team led by coach Roberto Pätzold start the new Bundesliga campaign week later with an away game at SC Freiburg on 31 August (kick-off: 14.00 CEST). That will be followed by the second round tie in the DFB Pokal. The full summer itinerary for the Women can be found HERE.
DFB POKAL SECOND ROUND TIES
Arminia Bielefeld vs Werder Bremen
FC Union Berlin vs RB Leipzig
SV Meppen vs FC Carl Zeiss Jena
FC Viktoria Berlin vs FFC Turbine Potsdam
DJK Wacker Mecklenbeck vs SGS Essen
Hertha Berlin vs VfL Wolfsburg
MSV Duisburg vs Hamburg SV
Kieler MTV vs VfL Bochum
Karlsruher SC vs Bayer 04
FC Nürnberg vs SC Freiburg
SC Sand vs Bayern Munich
FFV Erfurt vs Eintracht Frankfurt
SV Hegnach vs TSG 1899 Hoffenheim
Borussia Mönchengladbach vs FC Köln
FSV Mainz 05 vs Kickers Offenbach
SC Fortuna Köln vs SV 67 Weinberg
We are taking the Day of German Unity and the anniversary as an opportunity to tell a story that befits the subject - that of Falko Götz. The long-serving player, who currently works in scouting at Bayer 04, spoke to bayer04.de about his youth in the GDR, his escape during an away game in Belgrade and how he identifies with Bayer 04.
Show moreWith seven points from five games, Union Berlin have made a decent start to the season. Particularly in the wins against VfB Stuttgart and Eintracht Frankfurt, the Irons, who are otherwise known for their strong defence, impressively demonstrated they also have a lot to offer in attack. They will be looking to prove this once again at the BayArena on Saturday, 4 October (kick-off: 15:30 CEST, match on Sky and highlights on DAZN). The lowdown on our next opponents.
Show moreDerby time in the Rhineland! After a successful September, the Bayer 04 Women are away to FC Köln on Sunday, 4 October. In the Bundesliga match kicking off at 18:30 CEST at the Franz Kremer Stadium (live on MagentaSport and DAZN), coach Roberto Pätzold is counting on the return of a number of players who have been absent through injury.
Show moreBayer 04 will have to manage without defender Axel Tape for the time being.
Show moreA special tribute to a German football legend: The pay-TV channel Sky has dedicated a documentary worth watching to the current Germany sporting director and former Bayer 04 player and sporting director Rudi Völler. In addition to Völler's impressive career, assessments from contemporaries and very private insights, the 90-minute film also covers his many years of commitment to Bayer 04. "Rudi Völler - The one and only" is now available exclusively on Sky and the associated streaming service WOW.
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