DFB Pokal preview: Women play Werder Bremen for semi-final spot

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Anyone wanting to support the Werkself in the quarter-final home game can secure tickets via the online shop or from the matchday ticket office at the Service West ticket counter for €8 (€5 for Club members).

The Women's team are just two wins away from the first final in the club's history (1 May at the Rhein Energie Stadium in Cologne). The Leverkusen Women previously reached the last four in 2017, 2020 and 2022. Pätzold is also looking for the fans at the UHS to help in achieving a repeat of that feat. "It's a huge opportunity to go through to the next round. We've only lost at home to Bayern. With the hopefully great support from the spectators we want to go into the next round," said the 45 year-old: “We saw what a big factor that can be in the Hinrunde game in Bremen."

Last October, the Werkself achieved a 1-1 draw at the Weserstadion in front of a crowd of 22,721. In spite of a decent performance they were just a few minutes short of picking up three points with Werder equalising late on. "It was hard work. We were able to rely on our goal threat after a not so good first half and we could have won," said Pätzold: "We have come on really well since then and defended a lot of narrow leads. At the same time, the game showed how intense teams are when they play against us. That gave us problems in playing our game."

It was a similar situation for his team last Saturday in the 1-1 draw against SGS Essen. "When we're attacking we need better timing with crosses and the final ball. Our build-up play was good and we often got into the box but we were not dangerous enough in front of goal," said the coach: We will only create big chances again if we are clinical in the final third."

The line-up to put that plan into action could differ from the starting XI in the Essen game. "We will look closely at who is fresh and also have an eye on the match at Hoffenheim on Sunday," said Pätzold: "It's about controlling the workload for everybody so we can produce the best possible performances twice in succession."

ankle injury: piljic sidelined 

Katharina Piljic, who already missed the clash with her former club, is ruled out of the DFB Pokal quarter-final tie due to an ankle injury. Also still missing Loreen Bender (following tonsils operation), Vanessa Haim (back problems) and Sofia Cava Marin (torn cruciate). The Werder Bremen squad has six players with a Werkself background. Verena Wieder, Caroline Siems and Amira Arfaoui (to 2024), Juliane Wirtz (to 2023), Rieke Dieckmann (to 2017) and Sharon Beck (to 2016).

carnival style haltime display

Spectators at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium can use the catering offer of drinks and hot food from kiosk 9 on the BayArena piazza. Payment can be made using the BayArena Card (payment card), credit cards (MasterCard, VISA), and Google & Apple Pay. It will not be possible to top up payment cards on Wednesday.

Fans can expect a carnival-like display at half-time: The Hitdorfer Dreigestirn and the KG Hetdörper Mädchen un Jung will perform a pirates dance.

The maychday Werkself Live is herer: