The last-minute win over Hamburger SV on Wednesday left Leverkusen with an excellent record of 19 points from the first nine league games of the season. "It's a quality of this team that they never give up and then manage to find something extra in stoppage time," said Pätzold. "The three points are very valuable, but after two days off that game is behind us. We're going into this significantly more rested than on Wednesday. Our squad doesn't currently allow for much rotation, so we're thankful for the match being on Monday. We'll need all our strength and energy to hold our own at Freiburg."
The fact it's three years since the Werkself last lost to Freiburg, currently in seventh place with 13 points, is of little importance to Pätzold. "With the amount of personnel changes, statistics that go back over seasons are relative and have no relevance for us. Freiburg have found their feet well in the season and have great qualities particularly in attack. Even the last three matches, which they've lost, could have all turned out differently," continued the coach. "They were the dominant side and had a lot of chances, but weren't effective enough. So, in spite of recent results we're warned."
The Bayer 04 boss knows the strengths of the opponents: "They're a settled and very hardworking team, where you can identify patterns and processes. We expect a tight game that will be decided by little details." That's where the two wins in the games against Hamburg (2-1) and FC Carl Zeiss Jena (4-2) could benefit Leverkusen. "With the confidence from the last two weeks, we want to work the momentum in our favour and crown a busy week with the third win," declared Pätzold.
After her two-match ban, Charlotte Voll will return between the posts in the continued absence of injured captain Friederike Repohl. "Charly is our number two and will return in goal. Anne Moll filled in brilliantly for her when required," confirmed Pätzold. Centre-back Lilla Turanyi is also available again after suspension, while Juliette Vidal and Ruby Grant return to the squad after their recent knocks. Carlotta Wamser won't travel to Freiburg, though, as she's still nursing an injury. Cornelia Kramer (muscle injury) and Shen Menglu (cruciate ligament) remain sidelined, too.
The Werkself training camp in the Weimarer Land all in one place: in our daily blog, you’ll find all the insights and updates from the day. The programme for day two (Monday, 3 August) centres on two training sessions – one in the morning (open to the public) and one in the early evening (behind closed doors) – at the nearby training grounds. In the afternoon, fans can look forward to a big fan meet-up with club legend Paulo Sergio at Schloss Blankenhain.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have extended Abdoulaye Faye’s contract by a further year to 30 June 2031. During the 2026/27 season, the talented defender will play for Celta Vigo on loan without an option to buy. The 21-year-old Senegalese is set to feature in La Liga and the UEFA Europa League with last season’s sixth-placed side in Spain.
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The Werkself's training camp in Weimarer Land all in one place: in our daily blog you'll find all the insights and updates from the day. The programme on day one (Sunday 2 August) includes a media round with managing director sport Simon Rolfes, free time for the team after the friendly against Rot-Weiss Essen and before an intensive week of training begins, as well as a coffee get-together where CEO Fernando Carro and Rolfes met around 100 fans in the afternoon.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have agreed Kerim Alajbegovic’s transfer to Italian record champions Juventus. The club brought the 18-year-old attacking player back to Leverkusen this summer via a buy-back option, following a season at Red Bull Salzburg. Until his move to Austria, the Bosnia international had been playing for Bayer 04’s Under-19s.
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A warm welcome to the Weimarer Land, Bayer 04! The Werkself moved into their accommodation for this year’s training camp on Saturday evening. In Blankenhain, Thuringia, head coach Carles Martínez’s team have a programme of gruelling training sessions – several of which will be open to fans – and team-building activities lined up for the next six days. We’ll be following the Werkself up close and providing you with exclusive insights, quotes, photos and videos from the training camp.
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