SGS Essen Earns Hard-Fought Draw Against Bayer Leverkusen

Photo credit: Michael Gehrmann

In an intense and physical match, Bayer Leverkusen and SGS Essen played to a 1-1 draw. Both teams created chances, but the game remained hectic and hard-fought throughout.

Lineups

Leverkusen once again lined up in a 4-4-2 formation but made several changes compared to their 3-2 defeat against Eintracht Frankfurt. Captain Friederike Repohl returned to goal after recovering from a viral infection, and Ruby Grant replaced the injured Katharina Piljic in the starting lineup.

Essen stuck to their usual 4-2-3-1 setup but also made adjustments. Laureta Elmazi replaced the previously absent Kassandra Potsi in central midfield, while Ramona Maier once again led the attack as the lone striker. The SGS relied primarily on a compact defense and quick transition plays.

First Half

The match began evenly, with both teams limiting each other’s space. Leverkusen enjoyed slightly more possession, while Essen remained defensively solid and looked to capitalize on counterattacks.

Leverkusen had the first major chance in the 19th minute when Cornelia Kramer and Janou Levels threatened from a cross, but Essen’s goalkeeper Sophia Winkler made a strong save. Essen’s first opportunity came in the 24th minute, as Vanessa Fürst tried her luck from distance, but Leverkusen’s keeper Friederike Repohl managed to keep it out.

Essen had the best chance of the first half shortly before the break when Ramona Maier was played through in the 42nd minute but failed to convert, sending the ball wide. Despite Leverkusen’s dominance in shots (9:2), the teams went into halftime with the score still 0-0.

Second Half

Essen took the lead in the 53rd minute. After a corner, Leverkusen failed to clear the ball properly, and Natasha Kowalski sent a cross back into the box, where Beke Sterner headed it in from close range to make it 1-0.

Leverkusen increased their pressure after falling behind but struggled to break through Essen’s well-organized defense. The equalizer finally came in the 68th minute: following a short corner, Janou Levels delivered a cross into the penalty area, where substitute Delice Boboy struck a stunning first-time shot into the top left corner – 1-1.

The game remained fiercely contested until the final whistle, but despite further efforts from both sides, no more goals were scored.

Substitutions

Leverkusen: Delice Boboy for Karólína Vilhjálmsdóttir (59’), Julia Mickenhagen for Kristin Kögel (59’), Juliette Vidal for Ruby Grant (59’), Emilie Bragstad for Caroline Kehrer (86’), Paulina Bratz for Cornelia Kramer (86’)

Essen: Kassandra Potsi for Laureta Elmazi (70’), Maike Berentzen for Kassandra Potsi (80’), Jette ter Horst for Ramona Maier (80’), Julie Terlinden for Lilli Purtscheller (90’+2)

Match Statistics

Leverkusen controlled more of the game with 57.5% possession, while Essen had 42.5%. The hosts were also more active offensively, recording 13 shots, four of which were on target. Essen, in contrast, managed only four shots, with two hitting the target. Both teams played physically, committing 12 fouls each. The referee issued six yellow cards in total—four to Essen and two to Leverkusen.

Leverkusen will host Werder Bremen in the DFB-Pokal quarterfinals on Wednesday (6:30 PM) before facing Hoffenheim on Sunday (2:00 PM). Essen, meanwhile, will play their rescheduled match against 1. FC Köln on Tuesday (6:30 PM) before taking on Carl Zeiss Jena on Saturday (2:00 PM).