Home kit debut: Women’s team win friendly against Genk

With the exception of the two strikers,Caroline Kehrer (knock) and Amy Wrigge (torn cruciate ligament), all players from the first-team squad were available to the coach. Jana Lindner, from the U23s, was once again included in the squad. The Werkself, playing in their new black-and-red home kits for the first time, left no doubt about their status as favourites from the outset and pinned the visitors back in their own penalty area in the opening minutes.

Loonen scores, Kowalski misses chance for 2-0

The first chance on goal promptly led to the opener after 20 minutes. Following a misplaced pass by the opposition from midfield, Loonen found herself one-on-one with Genk goalkeeper Lois Nienhuis and she found the back of the net to make it 1–0 (20’). After that, the Black and Reds kept up the pressure and had a great chance to double their lead shortly before half-time. Valentina Mädl was fouled in the penalty area. The resulting penalty taken by Natasha Kowalski ​was saved by Nienhuis (38’). As the hosts were virtually impenetrable at the back and further chances to make it 2–0 failed to materialise, the teams went into the break with the narrow lead intact.

In the second half, the Leverkusen Women took control from the outset, but lacked precision time and again in the final third. A long-range shot from Sofie Zdebel, which went wide of the target, was the first chance after the break (63’). Apart from that, little happened in front of either penalty area, partly because the Belgians remained largely solid. Following a run by Loreen Bender to the byline, Cornelia Kramer missed the chance to seal the win (80'). Shortly before the final whistle, Maja Sternad hit the crossbar from close range – so the game ended with a 1-0 win.

next up: season launch at UHS

The Werkself are back in action this coming Saturday, 8 August (13:15 CEST), with another friendly. As part of the Bayer 04 season launch event, Pätzold’s side face Feyenoord at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium. Afterwards, from 15:30 CEST, the men’s team host Sevilla at the BayArena. Combined tickets for both matches are available HERE. Full details of the extensive supporting programme are HERE. The new season in the Google Pixel Women’s Bundesliga kicks off for the Werkself on Sunday, 23 August (16:00 CEST), with an away match at RB Leipzig.

Match stats:

Bayer 04, first half: Borggräfe – Müller, Turanyi, Friedrich, Brandau – Platner, Grant – Kowalski, Fudalla – Loonen, Mädl

Bayer 04, second half: Voll – Müller (Lindner 61’), Wenger (Ostermeier 76’), Wallrabenstein, Simon – Platner (Misini 61’/Merino Gonzalez 76’), Grant (Zdebel 61’/Wamser 76’) – Fudalla (Coskun 61’/Bender 76’), Tomasiak – Loonen (Mädl 61’/Sternad 76’), Kramer

KRC Genk starting XI: Nienhuis – de Ridder, Vanhoudt, Vanaenrode, Godier, Vandersanden, Ruymen, De Bie, van der Vliet, Adewusi, Stauffenberg

Goals: 1 –0 Loonen (20')

Referee: Laura Duske (Cologne)

Attendance: 125 at the Kurtekotten Training Centre