"Our aim is to win. The situation in the table and the quality of the team give us that. We want to live up to this expectation, knowing full well that it will be a difficult task," said Pätzold. Jena have repeatedly shown their resilience in recent weeks, most recently against Wolfsburg (0-2, ed.). Nevertheless, the focus is primarily on the team itself: "We're taking positives from the last few games, even if the results haven't always gone our way."
For the coming weeks, the route remains clear. "We always wanted to be in contention for third place, you can say that even with the current position," declared Pätzold: "It's much more important for us to focus on our opponents." The coach expects "very strong opposition" from Jena who his team will face "with self-belief".
With a five-point gap to third place, that ensure qualification for the UEFA Champions League, Pätzold sees his team in the pursuers’ role: "It’s no longer completely in our own hands. It's about playing to win every game and putting pressure on the teams above us." The qualities to do so are there, as the comeback immediately after the winter break showed: "Now we want to invest everything in turning this potential into results. We want to clock up as many points as possible from now on and start that run against Jena."
Tactically, the task against the Thuringians is also clearly outlined. "They play deep and compact, put pressure on the players with the ball and are physical," said Pätzold: "We need to move the ball well and quickly in order to tire our opponents out and open up spaces." Work against the ball is just as crucial: "We want to force the opponent into making mistakes and need aggressive counter-pressing when we lose the ball." At the same time, the coach sounds a warning to be cautious: "Jena have shown they can be dangerous in counter-attacks - they often only need a few moves to do so." Patience and confidence are therefore key factors: "We can't take too many risks and need patience and confidence in our quality, regardless of the course of the game."
Kristin Kögel (muscular problems), who missed the game at VfL Wolfsburg (1-2), is doubtful. Estrella Merino Gonzalez (after muscular problems) and Vanessa Haim (after a muscle-tendon injury) are set to return to the squad. Loreen Bender (five yellow cards), Shen Menglu (muscular problems), Caroline Kehrer (renewed surgery on her right knee), Amy Wrigge (torn cruciate), Charlotte Voll, Louisa Remien (both rehab training) and Friederike Repohl (partial torn ligament) are sidelined.
Just like the men’s first team in the Bundesliga home game against FSV Mainz 05, the Bayer 04 Women will also play in a special edition jersey on Sunday night to mark the 50th anniversary of fan clubs under the Cross. The special edition jersey is on open sale HERE . Tickets for the game on matchday 21 in the Google Pixel Women's Bundesliga are available HERE online in advance and from the matchday ticket office from 17:30 CET on Sunday.
Werkself Live:
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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Bayer 04 put in a brilliant performance to beat RB Leipzig 4-1 on Bundesliga matchday 32 and are now fourth in a Champions League spot. The Black and Reds took control of the game right from the start and, with 75 per cent possession at one stage, took a 2-0 lead into the break through Patrik Schick (25’) and Nathan Tella (45+1’). The visitors initially tried to do more after the break, but the Werkself remained determined and Schick scored his second goal to increase the lead to 3-0 (76'). The Red Bulls pulled a goal back through Christoph Baumgartner (80'), but the disciplined Leverkusen side were not rattled - and certainly not Schick: The Czechia international crowned a brilliant display with his third goal shortly before the final whistle to make the final score 4-1.
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In the previous game against RB Leipzig in December last year, the Werkself turned came from behind to win 3-1 and further improved Leverkusen's already strong record against the Red Bulls. Montrell Culbreath stood out with his first goal on his debut for the Black and Reds. While the 18-year-old would certainly like to score a second goal against Leipzig on Saturday night, the attack-minded visitors come to the BayArena in confident mood after five Bundesliga victories in a row. The Nordkurve12 supporters group knows the Werkself will therefore once again be reliant on the vociferous support of the fans, and has once again called for the ‘Finally Red’ campaign in the run-in. Today’s matchday news.
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Video games manufacturer Electronic Arts (EA), together with the German Football League (DFL), announced the top male and female selections for the 2025/26 Bundesliga season this week. Bayer 04 striker Vanessa Fudalla is in the starting eleven of the women's "Team of the Season". Alejandro Grimaldo and Aleix Garcia have been selected as bench players in the men's team.
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