Westfalenpokal derby: BVB women head to FC Schalke 04 | OneFootball

The scenario

Last Sunday the BVB women beat Vorwärts Spoho Köln 4-0 in their final first-half game of the Regionalliga West . “As expected, it was a difficult game against a deep-lying opposition, but we were patient and we’re happy that we were able to extend our streak in the end,” said coach Markus Högner. The BVB women will be going into their next game in the Westfalenpokal with the momentum of six games without conceding a goal. After their 4-0 win in the first round against SV Thülen, their opponents in round two are FC Schalke 04. BVB coach Markus Högner is looking forward to a “strong opponent” and the “certain amount of pressure that comes with finding solutions as a team in a knockout game.”

Personnel matters

Last weekend in Cologne, Ronja Leubner (scored after coming on) and Nora Willeke already returned to the squad after recovering from flu-like symptoms. In a short week of training, the BVB women completed a routine strength session and tactical training on Wednesday. “We purposefully did our final training session later on Thursday evening, so that our rhythm could adapt to the late kick-off on Friday. So we’re well-prepared and are looking forward to the game,” said Markus Högner.

The opposition

In the current season, S04 have been dominating the Westfalenliga with a flawless first half (13 wins in 13 games). “The team was strengthened considerably with experienced players before the season started,” said Högner, referring - among others - to former national player Mandy Islacker. In the first round of the Westfalenpokal, head coach Stefan Colmsee’s team beat higher-league team 1. FFC Recklinghausen 5-1. Last weekend, S04 doubled-down on their dominance in the Westfalenliga this autumn. Their closest competitors this season are the BVB women’s second team, who have so far celebrated 11 wins in 13 games.

A repeat of last season's final

Last year, the two teams played each other in the Westfalenliga for the first time in a gripping battle for the title. The record from previous meetings showed a goalless draw and a 2-1 win for BVB. In the end, it was the Black&Yellows who became champions and were promoted to the Regionalliga West. In the final of the Westfalenpokal, the two teams played each other for the third time to close the season. In front of 10,000 fans in the Stadion Rote Erde, the BVB women won the Westfalenpokal for the first time after a 2-0 win, with both goals being scored by Annika Enderle. This means that the fourth local derby on Friday (21.11) is also a repeat of last season’s final - this time in the Parkstadion in Gelsenkirchen.

Tickets for the Westfalenpokal derby are available to buy from the hosts’ online ticket shop. Tickets for the away end in the Parkstadion cost five euros, and discounted tickets are three euros. S04 will also be broadcasting a free livestream of the game from 20:00 CET on the club’s YouTube channel.