“We have the opportunity to make sure of finishing fifth through our own efforts and end the season with a win – that has to be our target in the last game of the season and that’s how we need to play,” demanded head coach Achim Feifel. Over the past two weeks, the 56-year-old has prepared his team for the last match against an opponent who will “be brutally physical and try everything to stay on the Bundesliga,” with competitive training and an internal friendly – he declared, “there will be no dawdling” before the summer break.
SC Sand will definitely be highly motivated with a victory at SV Meppen on the previous matchday setting them on course for the final game. The three points saw the team coached by Alexander Fischinger moving out of the drop zone and now staying up is their own hands. “They will give everything they’ve got,” Feifel is certain, “the coach has had an effect in recent weeks.” Fischinger took over the helm at the end of April in place of Nora Häuple, who was relieved of her role as coach at the relegation-threatened club.
For a number of players, such as Henrietta Csiszár, Pauline Machtens, Viktoria Pinther, Frederike Kempe and Selina Garofalo, it will be their last game in a Bayer 04 shirt on Sunday. “If it’s possible, I will try and play all the players who are leaving us,” said Feifel, but he does want to send the players who have had less time on the pitch due to injury “into the summer break feeling good. However, the impressions from training and performances will decide the team I send out onto the pitch and one that I believe can win the game. That is what the other teams who are still have something to play for will expect from us.”
There will be no more appearances in black and red for Isabel Kerschowski who leaves the Werkself for Potsdam in the new season. The 33-year-old has played in all this season’s matches to date – an ankle injury picked up in the game against FC Bayern two weeks ago keeps her out of the season finale at SC Sand. Ann-Kathrin Vinken also suffered an injury against the league leaders. Following the diagnosis of a torn syndesmosis ligament, she underwent a successful operation in the middle of the week. In addition to long-term injured players, Nina Brüggemann is ruled out with back problems.
Bayer 04 will broadcast the final Bundesliga match of the current season on the club’s YouTube channel. HERE is the link to the stream.
Bayer 04 are again strongly represented in this year's Bundesliga Team of the Season from the games manufacturer EA Sports. Five Werkself players have been voted into the top XI for the 2024/25 season, a duo from the Bayer 04 Women's team are in the female Bundesliga TOTS. Bayer 04 were well represented last season with six male players in the top eleven, the most players from one club.
Show moreA few weeks ago Borussia Dortmund were marooned in mid-table mediocrity in the Bundesliga. Then the Black and Yellows started a run that overcame all comers. And suddenly a Champions League spot was again within reach. BVB will be looking to take the next step towards the big target at the BayArena on Sunday, 11 May (kick-off: 15:30 CEST). Coach Niko Kovac has almost his full squad available. The lowdown on our next opponents.
Show moreIn the long and renowned career of Jupp Heynckes his two years at Leverkusen fill a short chapter. Nevertheless, his work under the Bayer Cross between 2009 and 2011 left its mark. The former world class striker and coach with a worldwide reputation was also very successful here and he led the Werkself to the runners-up spot in the Bundesliga and he made a lasting impression on many people at the club. Jupp Heynckes today celebrates his 80th birthday. Many happy returns from Bayer 04 as we look back at two great years.
Show moreA cracker of a semi-final at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium. The Bayer 04 U19 team entertain Bayern Munich on Saturday, 10 May (kick-off: 11:00 CEST/stadium opens: 10:00 CEST). In front of a home crowd, the team led by head coach Sergi Runge, who welcomes back an attacking player, is looking to build on the battling performances from the previous knockout games and "perform at the right moment." Tickets are available from the Bayer 04 online shop and the game will also be broadcast live on Sky.
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