‘Say thank you with a win’: Women highly motivated for the last home game against RBL

Given the gap of four points to Eintracht Frankfurt (44) and five to VfL Wolfsburg plus the inferior goal difference means the remaining chances of finishing third, and qualifying for the Champions League, appear limited. Coach Roberto Pätzold is not interested in that analysis. "Enough crazy things have already happened in football. So there's no reason for us to give anything away. We will carry on and we definitely want to win our last home game," he said: "Wolfsburg found it difficult in their first game against Potsdam and Frankfurt have to beat Hoffenheim. Regardless of the situation in the table, we want to have a great finish in front of our own fans."

Pätzold: "arouse anticipation"

If the Leverkusen women get a result then they will only have lost at home to the champions of Germany Bayern Munich this season. However, attention is now paid to the future. "With a win we want to arouse anticipation for the new season and extend our points record," said Pätzold: "We had the support of the spectators in some tight games in the Hinrunde and now we want to say thank you with a win."

farewell to Levels, Skinnes Hansen and Vilhjalmsdottir

Sporting ambition is also mixed with melancholy. There will be a farewell to three players before they play their last game for the Black and Reds: Janou Levels is joining VfL Wolfsburg, Synne Skinnes Hansen is joining Valerenga IF at home in Norway. Plus the loan from Bayern Munich ends for Karolina Lea Vilhjalmsdottir. "All three had a successful time. They will be highly motivated to have a positive farewell at home," said Pätzold: "They have shown a very professional mentality and have given a lot to the team. They will do that right to the last minute."

Levels, Skinnes Hansen, Vilhjalmsdottir and Co. will face an opponent who last won a Bundesliga game in the middle of February. That has been followed by three draws and three defeats. "It was already clear at the end of February that there was little prospect of them moving up or down. That could be a factor for negative thoughts and it also makes them unpredictable," said Pätzold: "They don't feel any pressure any more and will definitely want to play better after the big home defeat against Essen." RB Leipzig suffered a 3-0 defeat against SGS last Saturday. "We know about the high individual quality and are ready but we primarily focus on ourselves," said the coach: "We go into the last two games full of ambition."

Ida Daedelow, who missed out in the 3-1 win in Potsdam due to illness, returns. There is a question mark over Paulina Bartz and Sofie Zdebel (also after illness). Caroline Kehrer (knock), Vanessa Haim (muscle injury), Shen Menglu and Sofia Cava Marin (both torn cruciates) are still sidelined.

Family matchday at the UHS

As with the 6-0 victory over Werder Bremen, Bayer 04 have organised a Family matchday with hands-on activities like face painting and a bouncy castle. Fans can also win three jerseys signed by the whole team in a goal wall competition. Tickets are available HERE and from the matchday ticket office on the day of the game.