Unbeaten Bayer 04 Women host Hoffenheim in “attractive match”

Pätzold doesn’t want to be blinded by TSG’s recent 5-1 defeat away at Bayern Munich. “The result was far clearer than the game itself. Hoffenheim have good players in the middle who can combine well in tight spaces. We need to prevent them popping up with numbers in the box and creating chances to shoot,” the coach said. However, he also believes that it’ll be a good watch under the lights at the Ulrich-Haberland-Stadion. “In terms of approach, they’re similar to us with their very direct style. I’m expecting an attractive match,” he added.

Pätzold: “Allow fewer transitions”

It’s not just his team’s points tally that has the new coach thinking positively about how the campaign has started. “I’m fully pleased with their commitment as well. We’ve always performed to our limits. At the same time, we’ve seen room for improvement in every game. We need to allow fewer transition and do more to pose a greater threat from our turnovers,” said the 45-year-old. “We also want to be better at converting the counters, which we create with a lot of effort, into goals.”

Loreen Bender and Sofie Zdebel are once again available to help there following their U20 World Cup elimination with Germany. “We covered well for the absence of those two important players as a team. Both will be back in the squad against Hoffenheim, giving us extra options,” Pätzold announced. “Both performed well at the U20 World Cup, and I’m confident they will have put their dramatic elimination behind them. I trust both not to carry that around with them forever.” However, the coach refused to reveal what role the pair will play on Friday night: “They were given a few days off to switch off and recover. They’ve made a good impression in the first few sessions in training.”

One player who won’t be involved is full-back Janou Levels as she serves a suspension for her red card in the 2-0 win at Essen. “The returns of Loreen and Sofie mean we have various options for dealing with Janou’s absence,” Pätzold stated. “Compared to last week, we’re missing a player but have gained two back. We have a good squad that can definitely cope.” The coach believes that the competition for places with the return of Bender and Zdebel is “completely positive”. He added: “The greater the competition, the higher the quality in training and the greater the mentality of the players to fight for their place in the squad and in the starting XI. That can only take us forward as a team and gives us more options to bring on additional quality from the bench.” As well as Levels, Leverkusen will also be without Charlotte Voll, Melissa Friedrich (both training after injuries) and Paulina Bartz (ill).