In a high-pace and intensive start, the Bayer 04 keeper Anna Wellmann, this time preferred to Anna Klink, faced the first tricky situation on eight minutes: Zsanett Jakabfi was clean through but failed to find the target (7'). Wolfsburg, with six changes to the side that beat Lilleström in the Champions League in the week, pressed for the early goal as expected. After another effort from Jakabfi (15'), which Wellmann was able to parry, the hosts took the lead: A cross into the box from Alexandra Popp was turned into the net by Kathrin Hendrich for the opener on 20 minutes.
The Feifel team refused to be put off course by going behind and they stayed in the game. "We defended with passion, great mentality and plenty of hard work," the head coach said in praise of his players. The Werkself Women grew stronger towards the end of the first half and had more and more goalmouth action. A fine move ended with a shot from Dora Zeller from 14 yards out (39') missing the target and Mina Tanaka had a clear sight of goal in added time. But the VfL keeper Katarzyna Kiedrzynek was able to save the shot from Leverkusen's winter signing from Japan.
The visitors started the second half just one goal down. As in the start of the first 45, the defence including returnee Nina Brüggemann kept busy initially. Experienced VfL player Jakabfi hit the bar with the first opportunity on goal (48') and, shortly after that, Rebecca Blomqvist put a shot over the Leverkusen net (51').
As in the first half, Leverkusen were again able to get back into the game. This time Henrietta Csiszar had the chance to level but the Wolfsburg goalkeeper pulled off an impressive save to deny her in a one-on-one on 71 minutes. At the other end, Lilla Turanyi twice made goal-line clearances before the second goal came. The lightning quick Ewa Pajor set up Fridolina Rolfö in a fast attack and the Swede gave Wellmann no chance with her shot (75').
The Bayer 04 Women gave their all right up to the final whistle but the visitors from the Rhineland were unable to find the back of the net. "We were closer to it than we have been recently." Said Feifel. "We should have converted one of the two or three good opportunities." Bayer 04 keeper Wellmann backed up the coach: "We could have got more out of the game today if we'd have been more compact in one or the other situations and had taken our chances up front."
While the reigning champions from Wolfsburg, in second place on 43 points, remain the main challengers to league leaders Bayern Munich (48 points), the Werkself Women are now fifth on 23 points. "We have to continue playing with this stability and then we'll get our rewards," was the message from the coach after the game at the champions.
Next weekend brings a rearranged game from matchday 13 for the Black and Reds against bottom of the table MSV Duisburg. The MSV Women are the only team in the FLYERALARM Women's Bundesliga still without a win having just lost 2-1 against SC Freiburg.
Match stats:
VfL Wolfsburg: Kiedrzynek – Hendrich, Doorsoun, Janssen, Rauch (Engen 85') – Oberdorf, Popp – Blomqvist (Wolter 78'), Huth (Wedemeyer 85'), Rolfö (Saevik 78') – Jakabfi (Pajor 59')
Bayer 04: Wellmann – Kerschowski, Brüggemann (Friedrich 65'), Turanyi, Vinken, Marti – Csiszar, Nikolic, Kögel, Zeller - Tanaka (Wieder 70')
Goals: 1-0 Hendrich (20’), 2-0 Rolfö (75’)
Booked: Oberdorf, Rauch – Nikolic, Zeller
Referee: Franziska Wildfeuer (Lübeck)
The European jersey has been launched, the UEL opponents have been drawn – and anticipation for the European campaign is running high. To mark the occasion, an autograph session was held on Friday afternoon, 28 August, at the Fanwelt with current Werkself player Montrell Culbreath and official club legend Paulo Sergio.
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