Pätzold made one change to the line-up in the 2-0 win at SGS Essen. Sofie Zdebel went straight into the starting XI on her return from the U20 World Cup to play in central midfield in place of Juliette Vidal, who in turn played at left-back in place of the suspended Janou Levels. Loreen Bender, who like Zdebel played for the Germany U20 team up to the quarter-finals at the tournament in Colombia, started on the bench.
Leverkusen were quick to break up the opposition play but there was little sign of a breakthrough in a disjointed start to the game in constant rain. A move down the left almost saw the hosts take the lead. Vidal crossed for Karolina Lea Vilhjalmsdottir but the Icelander headed the ball over the bar (19').
The Black and Reds did better with the second goalscoring opportunity of the game two minutes later. Kristin Kögel produced a perfect diagonal ball from her own half to bring Kehrer into play. The striker kept her cool in front of the keeper Laura Dick as she curled the ball into the top right corner with an impressive long-range effort for her second goal of the season (21'). The Bayer 04 Women kept up the pressure - and scored again: A corner taken by Kramer saw Vidal brought down in the penalty area by TSG defender Jill Janssens. The ensuing penalty was converted by Kramer (28') for her first goal for Bayer 04.
The visitors found it difficult to break away from their own penalty area. A minute after going 2-0 up, Vilhjalmsdottir just failed to make it 3-0 with a curler and Kramer was denied by Dick two minutes later. The only chance for the visitors in the first half came from a set piece. Dominika Grabowska hit the ball just over the goal minded by Friederike Repohl (38’).
The visitors started the second half with determination and moved the action more into the Leverkusen half. Selina Cerci rewarded the improved performance for TSG with a headed goal from a cross (58'). Pätzold reacted by making his first substitution. Bender replaced Vilhjalmsdottir on the right wing to make her first appearance of the season (63').
TSG continued to press. Repohl prevented the equaliser with two impressive reflex saves within seconds (75'). Pätzold then brought on two fresh strikers in the shape of Estrella Merino Gonzalez (for Kehrer) and Vanessa Haim (for Kögel). Hoffenheim continued to attack in the closing stages with the Werkself defending with passion as they looked to counter. For the last few minutes, Emilie Bragstad (for Zdebel) and Shen Menglu (for Vidal) reinforced the defence and helped to secure home win.
The Bayer 04 Women are next in action at the same venue in ten days time. The home game against newly promoted Carl Zeiss Jena on Monday, 7 October (kick-off: 18.00 CET) at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium rounds off matchday five. Tickets are on open sale HERE. In addition to the streaming services MagentaSport and DAZN, SPORT1 are showing the game live on free TV.
Match stats:
Bayer 04: Repohl - Skinnes Hansen, Ostermeier, Turanyi, Vidal (Menglu 88’) - Piljic, Zdebel (Bragstad 88’) - Vilhjalmsdottir (Bender 63’), Kögel (Haim 76’)- Kramer, Kehrer (Merino Gonzalez 76’)
TSG Hoffenheim: Dick - Janssens, Cazalla, Doorn, Rankin (Kaut 71’)- Corley (Kössler 46’), Feldkamp, Dongus, Grabowska (Harsch 81’) - Memeti (Delacauw 71’), Cerci
Goals: 1-0 Kehrer (21’), 2-0 Kramer (28’ pen.), 2-1 Cerci (58’)
Yellow cards: Vidal, Ostermeier, Bender - Janssens, Doorn
Referee: Miriam Schwermer (Rieder)
Attendance: 620 at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium
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