Women suffer first away defeat in Frankfurt

Compared with the 2-1 win in the rearranged game at SC Freiburg, Pätzold made one change to his starting line-up. Delice Boboy made way for the return of Cornelia Kramer in a front two alongside Caroline Kehrer. Charlotte Voll again played in goal in place of captain Friederike Repohl (viral infection). Juliette Vidal returned to the squad wearing a face mask to protect her broken nose.

The Frankfurt team pressed from the start and created the first clear-cut chance on goal early on. From a high cross, Voll collided in the six-yard box with central defender Selina Ostermeier allowing the Eintracht striker Laura Freigang the chance to shoot but she put the ball wide of the left upright (4'). The Germany international just missed again six minutes later with a long cross to the far post. Shortly after that, Freigang had another chance with a volley from close range but it went over the bar (13').

first Leverkusen Chance for Kramer

Kramer had the first chance at the other end for the Werkself. The low shot from the Danish striker went inches wide of the goal (15'). Immediately after that, a corner from Kristin Kögel landed at the right-hand post. Eintracht Frankfurt were then rewarded for their impressive opening to the game. A through ball into the penalty area saw Voll bring down Nicole Anyomi. Sara Doorsoun converted the penalty (24’). Kramer missed the chance of a prompt reply two minutes later. Her shot was turned away for a corner.

The game now took off. A clearance from Eintracht keeper Stina Johannes landed at the feet of the visitors – and Vilhjalmsdottir tried her luck. The Iceland international curled the ball over the surprised keeper from 30 metres out to level with a shot into the top left corner (33'), her first goal of the season. The league leaders hit back straightaway. Geraldine Reuteler launched a fast counter-attack with Anyomi who dribbled through and beat Voll to regain the lead (36'). The tempo remained high up to half-time. The Werkself pressed and Eintracht Frankfurt waited for their chance to hit quickly on the break.

The second half began without the chance to take a breath. From a corner from the left, the ball ended up at the feet of Piljic who followed the example of Vilhjalmsdottir in firing the ball into the top corner (49'). Eintracht then struck again to restore their lead. The former Leverkusen player Elisa Senß passed to Reuteler who broke into the box from the right and hit the ball into the left corner of the net (51'). The hosts now pressed for a two-goal lead. The up to that point unfortunate Freigang was again denied by Voll with an impressive save with her foot (57').

Pätzold brought on Boboy in place of Kehrer and winter signing Ruby Grant for goalscorer Vilhjalmsdottir to provide fresh legs in attack (60’). The substitute Boboy was then centre stage. The striker just failed to connect to level the scores at the far post from a corner - and collided with the post. After treatment the 18-year-old was able to carry on.

Leverkusen continued to press but rarely found a way through against an alert Eintracht defence. Pätzold again made substitutions for the final 15 minutes. Juliette Vidal and Shen Menglu came on for Sofie Zdebel and Kögel (77’). In the final minutes, the tall central defender Emilie Bragstad (for Kramer) also strengthened the attack. Frankfurt successfully maintain the lead to the end. The best chance of an equaliser was missed by the substitute Menglu (90+1’).

outlook: home game against Essen

The Bayer 04 Women have the first home game of the new year on Matchday 14. The Pätzold team play SGS Essen at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium on Saturday, 8 February (12 noon CET). Tickets for the game are available HERE at the Bayer 04 online shop.

Match stats:

Eintracht Frankfurt: Johannes - Wolter, Doorsoun, Aehling, Lührßen - Senß (Veit 88’), Pawollek, Gräwe - Freigang (Prasnikar 75’) - Anyomi (Wamser 75’), Reuteler (Chiba 86’)

Bayer 04: Voll - Merino Gonzalez, Ostermeier, Turanyi, Levels - Zdebel (Vidal 77’), Piljic - Vilhjalmsdottir (Grant 60’), Kögel (Menglu 77’) - Kramer (Bragstad 86’), Kehrer (Boboy 60’)

Goals: 1-0 Doorsoun (24’ pen.), 1-1 Vilhjalmsdottir (33’), 2-1 Anyomi (36’), 2-2 Piljic (49’), 3-2 Reuteler (51’)

Yellow cards: - Turanyi

Referee: Karoline Wacker (Lehrensteinsfeld)

Attendance: 3,540 at the Stadion am Brentanobad