Seventh win on the bounce: Women win rearranged game in Freiburg

After a breach of rules by the referee in the 3-2 win for the Werkself on Matchday 1, the Federal Court of the German Football Association (DFB) set the date for the rearranged game in December. The Leverkusen women won the return match (2-0) the next day at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium. Pätzold made four changes to his starting XI from that game. Charlotte Voll made her first appearance in goal for Bayer 04 in the Bundesliga in place of captain Friederike Repohl (sidelined with a viral infection). The suspended Selina Ostermeier was replaced in central defence by Emilie Bragstad, Karolina Lea Vilhjalmsdotti came in for Loreen Bender (rehab training after tonsils operation) in midfield and Delice Boboy played up front in place of Cornelia Kramer (on the bench) who suffered a knock at the training camp. The Estonia international Kirkeliis Lillemets, who joined the U20 team in the winter and was with the Bundesliga squad in Oliva (Spain), was in the matchday squad for the first time.

Kögel and Turanyi hit the woodwork

SC Freiburg had the first chance in a lively opening to the game. From a corner, central defender Lilla Turanyi blocked a header from Selina Vobian and on the line (6'). Freiburg had the upper hand at the start as the Werkself gradually worked their way towards the opposition box without however finding a way through. An individual move by Kögel almost led to an early goal after the opening 15 minutes. A technically adept dribble ended with the forward hitting a low shot against the right-hand post from 17 metres out (17').

After that, the Freiburg team continued to break up the attacking moves of the visitors who had to remain patient. Just after the half-hour mark, the right-hand post again prevented Leverkusen taking the lead. Turanyi headed a corner from Karolina Lea Vilhjalmsdottir against the woodwork. And the next big chance fell to the Bayer 04 Women playing in all white. A counter-attack saw the right-back Estrella Merino Gonzalez set up Kögel but her shot lacked power (39'). The last chance of the first half was a shot from a tight angle by Janou Levels saved by the keeper Rafaela Borggräfe (45’).

Seconds after the restart, Levels had a shot from distance that Borggräfe saved with ease. The Pätzold team now pressed for the lead with urgency but SC Freiburg were equally determined. Levels had the biggest chance after half-time but failed to beat Borggräfe and the rebound was blocked (55'). A minute later her team were rewarded. After a corner, Vilhjalmsdottir hit the ball towards the goal and Ostermeier stabbed the ball home past the surprised SCF keeper.

Pätzold then made a double substitution. Kramer and winter signing Ruby Grant came on for Caroline Kehrer and provider of the assist Vilhjalmsdottir. Grant made her Bundesliga debut – and had a first long-range effort after a few minutes on the pitch (64'). The Werkself refused to sit on the lead and soon doubled the advantage. The England U23 international Grant, who received the ball from Merino Gonzalez, found Kögel in front of goal and she beat Borggräfe to make it 2-0 (70'). Grant impressed after providing the assist and just three minutes later she tested the opposition keeper with another effort from distance.

The Leverkusen Women were on top with 15 minutes to play and Freiburg only threatened the goal minded by Voll from set-pieces. From an SCF corner, Levels cleared off the line after the keeper was beaten (80'). Freiburg substitute Svenja Fölmli succeeded in netting a consolation goal in a hectic end to the game (90+1'). The Werkself held onto the lead with great passion to secure the win.

outlook: Return match in Frankfurt

The next Werkself game is also away from home. At the start of Matchday 13, the Pätzold team travel to Eintracht Frankfurt, who were top at the winter break, on Friday, 31 January. The kick-off at the Stadion am Brentanobad is at 18.30 CET. Werkself fans can apply online for tickets in Blocks K (seated) and I (standing) after a one-off registration HERE. That is followed a week later on Saturday, 8 February (12.00 CET) by the first home game of 2025 against SGS Essen at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium. Tickets for that match are available HERE.

Match stats:

SC Freiburg: Borggräfe - Stegemann, Steuerwald, Stierli, Karl - Karich (Kolb 67'), Felde - Egli (Fölmli 67'), Vobian, Schasching (Schneider 82') - Zicai

Bayer 04: Voll - Merino Gonzalez, Ostermeier, Turanyi, Levels - Zdebel, Piljic (Daedelow 87') - Vilhjalmsdottir (Grant 57’), Kögel - Boboy, Kehrer (Kramer 57’)

Goals: 0-1 Ostermeier (64’), 0-2 Kögel (70’), 1-2 Fölmli (90+1’)

Red cards: Bade (Bayer 04 goalkeeping coach, 90+2’)

Yellow cards: - Zdebel

Referee: Fabienne Michel (Mainz)

Attendance: 1,610 at the Dreisamstadion