Late strike from Kögel ends Leipzig home run

The Bayer 04 Women maintain contact with the top positions in the Bundesliga with a third win on the bounce. At RB Leipzig, who had won the last nine home games in succession, Roberto Pätzold's team came out on top in a 1-0 win on Sunday night. Kristin Kögel (81') scored the only goal of the game that puts Leverkusen fourth in the table on 23 points just to behind league leaders VfL Wolfsburg and continues the unbeaten run on the road this season.

Compared with the 3-0 home win against Turbine Potsdam, Pätzold made two changes to his starting line-up, both on the right flank. Estrella Merino Gonzalez came in for full-back Shen Menglu, and the sidelined Loreen Bender (not in squad) was replaced by Karolina Lea Vilhjalmsdottir. Central defender Melissa Friedrich was back in the squad for the first time since 12 February 2024. She has been forced to miss out for months due to a torn ligament and setbacks in rehab training.

disjointed opening exchanges

With Germany coach Christian Wück looking on, RB Leipzig had the first opportunity up front in a quiet start to the game with both sides making mistakes in their build-up play. A powerful shot from Giovanna Hoffman from 30 metres out landed on top of the goal minded by Friederike Repohl (11’). Shortly after that, Vilhjalmsdottir had to receive treatment after an aerial dual but the Icelander was able to carry on after receiving attention. The match remained disjointed with both defences being well organised allowing few chances on goal.

The visitors took more control of the game just after the half-hour mark. But an effort from Caroline Kehrer from outside the box lacked the required precision (32'). However, the Werkself were unable to create a serious threat on the Leipzig goal during this phase. The two sides went into half-time with the scoreline at 0-0.

There were no changes at the break. The first promising effort on goal came from Vilhjalmsdottir but the Leipzig keeper Elvira Herzog was able to deal with the shot from the edge of the box (52'). Leverkusen, playing in an all-white kit, went close to taking the lead five minutes later. With a whipped-in cross from Janou Levels, Kehrer at the left-hand post was unable to react in time and the ball bounced off her foot and went just wide of the target.

The Bayer 04 Women were more attacking than in the first half. A long-range effort from Katharina Piljic did not present a problem for Herzog (62’). The disciplined Leipzig defence initially gave little away. Pätzold reacted by making a double substitution: Sofie Zdebel and Cornelia Kramer made way for Juliette Vidal and Delice Boboy (71’). Kögel also tried her luck from outside the box shortly after that (76’).

The breakthrough came five minutes later: Substitute Boboy broke down the left flank and crossed into the penalty area. Kögel was in the right spot and Herzog had no chance of keeping out her volley (81'). It was the fifth goal of the season for the forward. The Werkself defended their narrow lead with much passion in the closing stages and succeeded in securing a hard-fought away win.

DFB Pokal against Potsdam

The Bayer 04 Women are back in action on Friday, 22 November. The visitors to the Ulrich Haberland Stadium are Bundesliga newcomers Turbine Potsdam in the DFB Pokal Round of 16 tie. The match kicks off at 18.00 CET. Tickets are available HERE from the Bayer 04 online ticket shop.

Mach stats:

RB Leipzig: Herzog - Krug, Landenberger, Magerl - Andrade (Marti 63'), Joly (Hipp 63'), Starke, Müller - Fudalla, Schimmer (Spitzner 86’) - Hoffmann

Bayer 04: Repohl - Merino Gonzalez, Ostermeier, Turanyi, Levels - Zdebel (Vidal 71’), Piljic - Vilhjalmsdottir (90.+1 Daedelow 90+1’), Kögel - Kramer (Boboy 71’), Kehrer (Bragstad 89’)

Goals: 0-1 Kögel (81’)

Yellow cards: Hoffmann - Zdebel, Ostermeier, Kehrer, Piljic

Referee: Julia Boike (Altenstadt)

Attendance: 754 at the Cottaweg training centre