
“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-TV shows the highlights of the Bayer 04 women's 4-0 win at SGS Essen on the 24th matchday of the Google Pixel Frauen-Bundesliga 2025/26.
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The Bayer 04 Women have kept their chance of qualifying for the Champions League alive in the Bundesliga run-in. Coach Roberto Pätzold's team won 4-0 at SGS Essen on Sunday afternoon, improving their record from last season to 14 wins this term. With 43 points, the Werkself equalled another record from the 2024/25 season and at the same time reduced the gap to third-placed Eintracht Frankfurt to two points, at least for tonight. Loreen Bender (4’), Kristin Kögel (41’, 68’) and Cornelia Kramer (89’) scored for the Black and Reds, who dominated the game to record their fourth win on the bounce.
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With the 4-1 home win against RB Leipzig, the Werkself not only ended the run of five consecutive victories for RBL, but also moved up to fourth place, which would ensure qualification for the UEFA Champions League. While the media praised the impressive performance of Leverkusen's hat-trick hero Patrik Schick in particular, the team and coach were delighted with the "fantastic energy" from the stands and are looking to take the momentum into the remaining two games: "We have to perform like we did today in Stuttgart!" The Werkself review.
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Werkself TV shows the highlights of Bayer 04's 4-1 win against RB Leipzig on Matchday 32 of the 2025/26 Bundesliga season...
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