"We deliberately chose opponents who would challenge us intensively," explained Pätzold. "Unfortunately, we made too many mistakes in the build-up and had to repeatedly defend transitions as a result. Frankfurt simply executed them very strongly with a lot of pace and individual class, which is why the four-goal margin is completely fair. But we won't read too much into the result because the main aim was to give players who have had less game time recently practice with a view to the upcoming tasks in the league. We gave it our best shot and unfortunately weren't able to convert some situations into goals in attack. It was a very good physical exercise for many of them."
A week after the 6-0 win over SV Werder Bremen in the Google Pixel Women's Bundesliga, the coach made five changes to his line-up. Charlotte Voll, captain Melissa Friedrich, Ruby Grant, Synne Skinnes Hansen and Delice Boboy replaced Friederike Repohl, Lilla Turanyi, Shen Menglu, Kristin Kögel and Cornelia Kramer. Menglu and Turanyi were among nine players from the first-team squad who didn't travel to Westerburg, with youngsters Sana Coskun, Angelie Martens and Amelie Sosnik included in the squad instead.
Both teams began committed but without creating any promising opportunities. Sophie Nachtigall's through ball ultimately set up the opening goal for Frankfurt, finished off by Lara Prasnikar (19'). Seven minutes later, goalkeeper Charlotte Voll blocked Remina Chiba's shot away for a corner.
Having been pushed back, Leverkusen created their first real chance on 32 minutes, when Estrella Merino Gonzalez's cut-back found Caroline Kehrer, who rounded goalkeeper Lina Altenburg but couldn't beat the tight angle. Shortly before half-time, ex-Leverkusen woman Lisanne Gräwe made it 2-0 with a shot on the turn.
Pätzold brought on Julia Mickenhagen for Selina Ostermeier at the break. His side came out of the dressing room with energy but continued to struggle to find gaps in the well-organised Frankfurt defence. Instead, Voll was called into action to stop Chiba's powerful effort. Mickenhagen then lacked the power on her header from a corner to reduce the deficit (63').
Soon after, substitute Paulina Bartz went close with a free kick before Eintracht made it three. Substitute Laura Freigang could only hit the post but Chiba tapped in the rebound for her second of the day (73'). In the closing stages, another ex-Leverkusen player found the net, with Elisa Senß making it a final score of 4-0.
The 18th matchday in the Google Pixel Women's Bundesliga follows next weekend. In the headline match, Leverkusen face German champions and league leaders FC Bayern Munich on Sunday, 30 March (15:15 CEST) at the FC Bayern Campus.
Match stats:
Bayer 04: Voll - Merino Gonzalez, Ostermeier (Mickenhagen 46'), Friedrich, Vidal - Zdebel (Sosnik 85') , Grant (Daedelow 64') - Skinnes Hansen (Bartz 64'), Bender (Coskun 78') - Boboy (Martens 85'), Kehrer
Eintracht Frankfurt: Altenburg - Wamser, Doorsoun (Kleinherne 46'), Veit, Riesen (Wolter 64') - Sanvig, Pawollek (Reuteler 46'), Nachtigall (Lührßen 64'), Gräwe (Senß 60') - Prasnikar (Freigang 46'), Chiba
Goals: 0-1 Prasnikar (19'), 0-2 Gräwe (45'), 0-3 Chiba (73'), 0-4 Senß (84')
Referee: Annika Hinrichs (Haitz)
Attendance: 494 at the Schulstadion in Westerburg
Away fans take note: Tickets for the forthcoming away game for the Werkself against FC St Pauli at the Millerntor Stadium on Sunday, 20 April (kick-off: 19:30 CEST) are exclusively available on the Bayer 04 app. The tickets are available at once and as usual under the 'Profil' tab by clicking on the 'Meine Tickets' button.
Show moreFlap up, screen on: With the help of the new Bayer 04 tactics truck, training content and match action for the Werkself as well as tactical graphics can now be shown and discussed on the training ground.
Show moreWerkself-TV shows the highlights of the Bayer 04 women's 1-1 draw against 1. FC Köln on the 19th matchday of the Google Pixel Frauen-Bundesliga 2024/25...
Show moreThe Bayer 04 Women shared the points in a 1-1 draw with FC Köln in an entertaining Rhine derby with lots of goalmouth action for both sides. The team led by coach Roberto Pätzold put in a great effort that deserved the three points particularly in the second half. The team next to bottom in the table, who took the lead before half-time, played with great passion and only conceded the equaliser scored by Cornelia Kramer (54') before the final whistle.
Show moreWhere were you on 14 April 2024? – That question will probably be asked a lot in Leverkusen today. And can there be anybody in this city who doesn't have an answer to hand? Hard to imagine. That Sunday exactly a year ago was too special. Too big. Too stirring. Too incredible. Everybody will have their own personal memory of that historic day. As everybody was there somehow. Even those who were unfortunately unable to get a ticket for the game of games against Werder Bremen.
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