Setback in Nuremberg: Bayer 04 women suffer first away defeat

Pätzold made one change to his starting line-up following the 1-1 draw at home to Eintracht Frankfurt. Vanessa Fudalla, last season’s top goalscorer, started in place of Paulina Platner. Louisa Remien took her place on the bench for the first time this season as a replacement for the injured keeper Charlotte Voll.

The situation ahead of the match against the next-to-bottom side in the table was clear: Following Frankfurt’s 3–0 win at VfB Stuttgart the previous day, the Werkself needed three points to keep in touch with third-placed Eintracht. A glance at this season’s away record offered some hope: Bayer 04 picked up the maximum haul of nine points from their three away matches so far. 

wake-up call after 15 Seconds

However, FCN made it clear right from the kick-off that it would by no means be an easy task against the team from Nuremberg side, who were still without a win. After just 15 seconds, Nastassja Lein got on the end of the ball in the penalty area and narrowly missed the Bayer 04 goal. The Werkself, playing all in white, took a few minutes to find their feet, but then gradually took control of the game. In the tenth minute, Nuremberg-born Fudalla made her first attacking mark, but her curling shot flew over the bar. That was as far as it went for the time being. FCN operated from a compact defence and rarely looked to push forward. Bayer 04 were unable to capitalise on their possession and scarcely managed to create any danger in front of goal. Even a number of corners and free-kicks failed to change the situation.

There was then a moment of concern when Rafaela Borggräfe suddenly dropped to her knees on 22 minutes and called for medical attention. However, after several minutes of treatment, the Leverkusen goalkeeper was able to continue. It wasn’t until the 31st minute that there was another chance in the penalty area. Loreen Bender found herself unmarked and went for a header, but sent the ball centimetres wide of the post. FC Nürnberg also contributed to the chances tally, but Carolin Simon made a spectacular intervention to clear Lara Meroni’s sharp cross (39’). As Borggräfe also saved Emöke Papai’s shot four minutes later, the teams went into the break with a deserved 0–0 scoreline.

FC Nürnberg net opener

As in the first half, FC Nürnberg quickly created a chance in the second half: following a swift attack down the right flank, Louna Lapassouse, who made a run into the box, reached the ball but shot over the bar from close range, squandering what had been the best chance of the match so far (48'). The game did not improve after that, but it did become more physical. Seven players were shown a yellow card by the hour mark. The numerous cautions were the result of many intense duels in midfield, where both teams were battling for control. Just as the Werkself finally managed to build up some pressure, FCN counter-attacked following a corner and took the lead through Fany Proniez, who capped off a long sprint with a precise finish into the far corner (62').

Leverkusen then stepped up their attacking efforts and created a number of chances. First, substitute Caroline Kehrer fired wide from distance (66'), then a cross from Loreen Bender struck the crossbar (72'). In the immediate counter-attack, FCN – after launching strong counter-attacks time and again – also hit the crossbar through Jonna Brengel. Leverkusen pushed for an equaliser, but were unable to find the net. Instead, FC Nürnberg launched another successful counter-attack and Proniez sealed the win with a goal to make it 2–0. As a result, the Werkself suffered their first away defeat of the season.

next up: DFB Pokal cracker at holders FCB

Although the Google Pixel Women’s Bundesliga takes a break next weekend, the Werkself still have a big fixture on the cards. On Sunday, 1 November (15:00 CET), the Black and Reds are away to Bayern Munich in the DFB Pokal Round of 16. The match against the holders FCB at the FC Bayern Campus will be broadcast on Sky and via the ARD live stream.

Match stats:

FC Nürnberg: Romero – Bleil, Lobanova, Varley, Homann (Bednorz 71’) – Lein, Proniez, Miller, Meroni (Mai 80’) – Papai (Pollak 87’), Lapassouse (Brengel 71’)

Bayer 04: Borggräfe – Merino Gonzalez, Turanyi, Ostermeier, Simon – Wenger (Loonen 82’), Müller (Mädl 74’) - Bender, Fudalla (Platner 54’) - Kramer, Sternad (Kehrer 54’)

Goals:1–0 Proniez (62'), 2–0 Proniez (85')

Yellow cards: Papai, Varley, Homann, Brengel – Sternad, Müller, Turanyi, Platner, Merino Gonzalez

Referee: Naemi Breier (Zerf)

Attendance: 960 at the Max Morlock Stadion