“Few people could’ve imagined we’d be in this position before the season. The fact we are makes us all proud,” said the coach of his team that has won their last four competitive matches in a row. “We will not be awestruck this time either,” he added. Just two points separate the Werkself on 23 in fourth and the seven-time champions at the summit. So far only champions Bayern Munich have managed to beat Leverkusen. “We’ve earned a point and lost once in the games against the teams above us. It’d be nice if we could end the first half the season by beating one of those teams. That’s our goal and means we go into the game with confidence,” Pätzold stated .
Since the last-minute defeat to Bayern in October, Bayer 04 have conceded just one goal and belief within the team has grown. “We’re looking forward to a similarly good game as against Bayern, where we can go into it without pressure. If we perform to our best, we’ve got a good chance,” said the coach, aware that Wolfsburg have won their last seven competitive fixtures. “We’re playing against one of Germany’s top teams – that’s motivation enough. Everyone knows about Wolfsburg’s qualities. We need the game to go our way but have also shown often enough that we can do it.”
“We need to be brave enough to press the opponent high and also be able to withstand periods of opposition possession where we defend as a group,” the coach explained of what’s needed from his team, adding, “We won’t get too many chances, so need to be clinical, but also be able to deal with setbacks like we did against Bayern.” His team has regularly demonstrated those qualities in recent results. “We’ve created some maturity, mastering various situations mentally and continuing to believe in ourselves,” the 45-year-old continued. “Wolfsburg have been susceptible in various ways this season. That gives us enough reasons to go into the game with confidence.”
All 11 players who were in action for their national teams have returned to Leverkusen fit and healthy. Estrella Merino Gonzalez and Delice Boboy, who scored a combined four goals for Germany’s U19s, rejoined training on Thursday. The rest of the squad used the break for further practice with a 4-0 friendly win over Dutch side Zwolle. “We were in a similar situation ahead of the Köln game. Results have shown we’re well-drilled and that everyone knows our ideals and their role. It’ll be about managing the workload to go into a game that will demand the most of us with fresh minds and legs,” Pätzold stated.
Loreen Bender, who scored twice in the friendly, is back in the squad following a bout of tonsilitis. Sofia Cava Marin (knee), Synne Skinnes Hansen (thigh), Vanessa Haim (back) and Paulina Bartz (fitness) are all still sidelined.
Werkself player Montrell Culbreath and Bayer 04 loanee Francis Onyeka are part of Germany's final squad for the U19 European Championships this summer. The tournament is in Wales from 24 June to 12 July.
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Bayer 04 are away to third-division club SV Wehen Wiesbaden in the first round of the 2026/27 DFB Pokal. That was the outcome of the draw on Saturday night, 6 June, at the German Football Museum in Dortmund. The Werkself first round tie will be played between 21 and 24 August. The exact date has yet to be finalised.
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Carles Martìnez is raring to go. The 42-year-old speaks in his first interview in Leverkusen about the club's development to date and how he wants to build on it. He describes his previous work in France, Kuwait, Qatar and his native Barcelona, his experience in developing young players, and the key steps between now and the start of pre-season training.
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New Bayer 04 head coach Carles Martínez has arrived in Leverkusen! At midday on Friday, the 42-year-old spoke in a press conference at the BayArena about his philosophy and his aims. Managing director sport Simon Rolfes also discussed the reasons for appointing the former Toulouse boss.
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