A look at the stats gives more or less reason for optimism depending on perspective from a Black and Red point of view: The Werkself have lost nine out of the last ten games against the seven-time champions of Germany but, on the other hand, they are unbeaten in the last five home games and collected eleven of the sixteen points in the Hinrunde at the UHS. "It's a great little run we want to keep going," said de Pauw, although he is well aware: "We haven't played at home to the top teams yet." Over 1,000 tickets have been sold for the game on Sunday. "The spectators can give us an extra weapon. We need special support especially for this game," declared the coach.
The 2-1 defeat at Werder Bremen despite leading for so long did not prey on the minds of the team. "Unfortunately we lacked the necessary energy in the closing stages and we were punished for that. We discussed that in clear terms but now we are looking forwards again," said de Pauw.
The Dutchman is aware that the challenge against the Wolves could well be even more complicated. "Ahead of the winter break, they found it difficult at times. Now they've made a great start against a tough opponent in Essen. It was impressive how they dealt with going behind," said the coach. That brings him to a logical conclusion: "We have to hope for a worse day for them and a good day for us and be effective accordingly." What does it come down to? "Of course, the basis is a better defensive organisation than in Bremen. Then we will be able to hurt them up front as well."
At the start of the season, his team had almost no chances in the 3-0 defeat in Wolfsburg. De Pauw believes his players can learn from that. "We have to make better decisions in the final third. Often we have broken through but then lacked precision and through that scarcely created any clear chances on goal," he said. In the spotlight here is the Poland international Nikola Karczewska, who scored her sixth goal of the season in Bremen. She is faced by her opposite number VfL striker Ewa Pajor who has also netted six goals. For that reason the Werkself defence will have to "keep an eye on the spaces at the back and that obviously applies to set pieces."
Janou Levels (hip) and Clara Fröhlich (illness) remain sidelined Sofia Cava Marin, Delice Boboy and Julia Mickenhage will probably play for the second team on Sunday. Otherwise, de Pauw has his whole squad available.
The pay streaming service DAZN will make the match available free of charge on their own app. Fans only need an account with the streaming service to take up the free offer. As usual, the match will also be broadcast live on MagentaSport live. Tickets for the Bayer 04 Women's home game at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium are available in advance HERE online or from the matchday ticket office.
The Nerazzurri are in town: Today, Tuesday 10 December, Bayer 04 entertain the reigning champions of Italy Inter Milan on Matchday 6 in the UEFA Champions League (kick-off: 21.00 CET/live on DAZN and on Werkself Radio). Read on for the latest information on the home game at the BayArena.
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The Bayer 04 U19 team lost 1-0 to Inter Milan on the sixth and final matchday in the league phase of the UEFA Youth League 2024/25. The only goal of the game was scored just after the hour mark. While the side from North Italy have finished top in the league phase with a maximum points return, the Leverkusen team appeared to have just missed out on the knockout stages of the European competition. There is faint hope looking to several games to follow where results are needed to go the way of the Werkself.
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Italian teams are known for being strong in defence. The fact that Inter Milan, the next opponents for the Werkself in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday, 10 December (kick-off: 20.45 CET), have not conceded a single goal in their last five matches is impressive. Will the visitors' keeper Yann Sommer be able to keep a clean sheet at the BayArena against Florian Wirtz and Co.? The lowdown on our next opponents.
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The Werkself are away to Borussia Dortmund on Bundesliga Matchday 16. The game at the Signal Iduna Park on Friday, 10 January 2025, kicks off at 20.30 CET. Read on for information on ticket sales.
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