Women entertain Hoffenheim: 'We’ve gained confidence'

The Black and Reds are currently sixth in the table on 20 points just one behind fourth-placed TSG Hoffenheim. "We have four points more than at the same point last season," said head coach Robert de Pauw: "The table is much tighter than a year ago and that's good." At the same time, he said: "Of course, we want to do even better. But the focus is on our performance and not on the table."

In the last two matches, the 1-1 draw against VfL Wolfsburg and the 2-1 win at FC Nürnberg, his team, "gained confidence and defended well even if there was a bit of luck involved," said the coach: "But we can do better on the ball. We want to show that this weekend by finding better solutions and space in our build-ups. In addition, we have to remain compact and be smart at the moments we press."

The fact the Leverkusen Women’s team are still unbeaten in six home games this season, he sees as a "nice statistic" but one not worth dwelling on. "At least, it shows how difficult it is to beat us," said de Pauw.

De Pauw on TSG: "lots of quality"

He says TSG, who secured a 2-2 draw in the previous meeting, have "a lot of quality." The coach sounded a warning about the pace of the visitors in counter-attacks. It depends even more on the Werkself implementing their coaches wishes: "We have to make better decisions and be more settled on the ball," said the Dutchman: "We won't be able to dominate the whole game against Hoffenheim but we want to compete well and create good chances."

Melissa Friedrich, who scored her first goal of the season with a header in Nuremberg, is unavailable for the Bayer 04 Women. The central defender suffered a torn ankle ligament in training and is now sidelined for four to six weeks. On the plus side, Sylwia Matysik and Lilla Turányi return to the squad. Janou Level (hip injury) is still in rehab training.

Tickets online and at the stadium

As usual, the match will be broadcast live on the two streaming services DAZN and MagentaSport. Werkself fans can buy tickets in advance HERE at the online ticket shop or from the matchday ticket office on the day of the game.