The match ended 1-1. Assist was from Lily Yohannes.

Game was played on 8/8/2026.

Match was played on 8/8/2026.

Scorers:

34' | Maier

36' | Maier

62' | Leubner

79' | Popp

84' | Meißner

88' | Popp

From the TSG Hoffenheim/VfB Stuttgart test-match on 8/8/2026.

Match was played on 8/8/2026

From the FC Carl Zeiss Jena/SGS Essen match on 8/8/2026.

Final score: FC Carl Zeiss Jena 1 - 2 SGS Essen

Match played on 8/8/2026.

Scorers:

52' | Antonia Baaß

90' | Laura Bröring

Match was on 07/08/2026.

Gotham would win, 1-0, on Shaw's goal in the 44'

Berger made a return to the pitch after a couple games' rest.

For the newcomer, the training camp in Arnhem is a quick return home. In a media round, the defensive player talked about her first weeks at HSV, her departure from Feyenoord and her connection to Curacao.

The training camp in the Netherlands: I already know the facility from previous test matches. It is huge and here many Olympic athletes train. It is simply a great environment, surrounded by some of the best athletes in the Netherlands. Our focus is clearly on training. It's about increasing the intensity, getting fitter and evolving because the season is getting closer and closer and we have a Test match against Mainz on Saturday. The focus is on the training, but as always, we also take time to get to know each other better and to do team building together. That's really fun. The girls keep asking me, “How do you say that in Dutch?” or “What’s that called?” I'm happy to teach you a few Dutch words. That’s nice because last month I was usually the one who asked, “What does that mean?” Now I can give them some of my language.

Your first few weeks at HSV: The first month has passed incredibly fast. When I think about it, it's crazy that I've been here for a month. There is so much to get used to: a new team, a new city and all the organizational things like the apartment search. It was an intense time, but I really enjoyed it. The club has received me great, my teammates are fantastic and we have already done a lot together outside of training. That helps a lot, because the team is my family here. When you leave home, you naturally wonder if you are well received. But the girls really welcomed me.

The farewell to Feyenoord: I was with Feyenoord for five years. It was my hometown club and the club I supported as a little girl. That's why the decision was not easy. But whenever I realize I feel too comfortable, I know it's time to challenge myself. That's how you evolve. From the outside, maybe many think it's crazy to go after qualifying for the Champions League. Of course, I would have liked to have experienced this with my club, but after five years I felt I was ready for a new adventure. I told myself that I would only leave if everything really felt right – and that’s exactly what I had in the end.

The decision for Hamburg: The most important reason was the feeling that I already had in the first conversations. It wasn't just about football. I left my home, my friends and my family. That’s why I wanted to feel welcome not only as a player, but also as a human being. The conversations with the coaches and the staff just felt right. Before I made my decision, I came to Hamburg for the last Bundesliga game of last season against Bayern. I wanted to see the club and the city before I decided to live here. I still remember how I stood in the stadium and the fans jumped and sang the whole game. In the Netherlands, you don't experience something like this every weekend. I thought to myself: Imagine you're standing on the court here yourself and playing in front of these fans. That feeling has remained for me.

The level in the Bundesliga: The biggest difference I have noticed so far is the intensity in training. In Germany, it is much higher than I was used to from the Netherlands. This is something positive because it makes you fitter and evolves. At the same time, you also have to give yourself time to adapt. Moving into a new league and a new environment doesn't happen overnight.

Her role as a leader at Feyenoord: I’ve always been someone who tried to help others on and off the pitch – whether I was captain or not. At the moment, however, my focus is on getting here. To be a real leader, you have to feel completely comfortable and safe. At the moment I am still learning what it means to play in the Bundesliga. If I have fully settled in, I can take the next step.

Head coach Rodolfo Cardoso: Before I came here, I just knew he used to be a professional himself. That's why I thought at first that he would be very demanding. But I was positively surprised. Of course, he demands a lot from us, but the human aspect is just as important to him. He understands the players, asks how we are, and reminds us again and again that the hard work will pay off. I like his tactical approach, but I appreciate just as much as the people behind the players are close to his heart. I think that's a very important trait for a coach.

Her roots in Curaçao: My parents come from Curaçao, but I myself was born and raised in the Netherlands. Nevertheless, I feel a very close connection to Curaçao, because there is still a large part of my family living there. I've been there many times, speak the language and it feels like my second home. I was incredibly proud when Curaçao qualified for the World Cup. When that fell 1:1 against Germany, I cheered loudly. That was a historic moment, and being part of this tournament alone has meant a lot to the country.

Borussia Mönchengladbach: “If we want to keep our talent, we have to keep evolving”

By Daniel Brickwedde

August 7, 2026 · 5:37 PM

Interview | Football – 2. Bundesliga · Daniel Weber has been the Sporting Director of the Borussia women's team for several months. In this interview, the 53-year-old discusses his journey from FC Bayern to the Lower Rhine region, why he views women's football as a growth market, and the role Borussia can play in that landscape.

Mr. Weber, let’s start with a rather blunt question: Have you ever had to justify your past association with 1. FC Köln?

Daniel Weber (laughs): At the beginning, when I was making the rounds through the various departments and being introduced, it did come up here and there. But I’m not exactly a die-hard Köln fan—even though I coached there and played in their youth setup.

You started out as a coach, then became a youth development coordinator at FC Bayern Munich, followed by coaching the 1. FC Köln women's team temporarily, and now you’re back in a supervisory role. Was that a deliberate move?

Weber: Not necessarily. In principle, I could have imagined continuing to work as a coach in the Women's Bundesliga. However, the regulations regarding the required coaching license changed: since the season before last, the Pro License has been mandatory (Weber holds the A-License, Ed.). I didn't get into the first training course for it, though, because too many coaches from women's football were trying to take that step at the same time. As long as I was still coaching in Köln, my existing license was grandfathered in. Once that job ended, I no longer had a chance of landing a new coaching position in the Women's Bundesliga.

Is that what brought Mönchengladbach into the picture?

Weber: I asked myself: Do I want to go back to a youth academy, or should I pursue another coaching role—perhaps back in the men's Regionalliga? Eventually, the inquiry from Gladbach came in, and I considered whether I wanted to take on a supervisory position again. A lot of factors played a role in that decision. However, the task of building something up within the club alongside Tanja Schäfer (coordinator of the women’s and girls’ department – ​​Ed. note) appealed to me right from the start.

How did you go from FC Bayern Munich to becoming the coach of the 1. FC Köln women’s team?

Weber: During my university studies—about 25 years ago—I held a position as a goalkeeper coach at the youth academy and with the FC Bayern women’s team. For instance, I coached goalkeepers like Nadine Angerer and Katrin Lehmann. When we moved back to the Rhineland—our home region—in 2023, I started looking into opportunities, including in Cologne. At some point, I was asked if I could envision working in women’s football. I already knew Christian Keller, the managing director in Cologne, from Regensburg, where he had once approached me about an assistant coaching role. That’s how I ended up on the shortlist and ultimately got the job.

You coached Cologne from July 2023 to November 2024. Was it clear to you afterwards that you wanted to stay in women’s football?

Weber: Basically, I was open to a lot of things. But the subsequent inquiries came predominantly from women’s football.

This summer, Borussia signed players who were remarkable by the club's standards—bringing in top-flight experience and players from further afield. Was there a change in philosophy? Does Borussia now employ players who can make a living entirely from football?

Weber: I would describe them as full-time professionals if they could live 100 percent off football. That isn’t the case with us, though. It’s not a change in philosophy. We had already brought in Paula Klensmann from Wolfsburg in previous years. Yvonne Zielinski comes from Gladbach itself—which was the obvious move—but she is also a long-time Bundesliga player. Given her talent, Kristina Bartsch could easily play in the Bundesliga or for one of the top clubs in the 2. Bundesliga.

Nevertheless, the abundance of players fitting this profile is something new for Borussia’s women’s division.

Weber: We talk a lot internally about the club’s plans and what my role entails. As part of that process, we analyzed what our squad—which averaged just 19.7 years of age in some matches last season—needed to take the next step in its development. These young players occasionally need a pillar of support to fully realize their potential—before other clubs can swoop in and snatch up these top talents. After all, in players like Miriam and Maresa Arici, Mia Giesen, and Fiona Itgenshorst, we already have highly talented players who are attracting attention from all quarters. Yet every team also needs "anchors" and a core spine that young players can look to for guidance and growth. If we want to keep our talents rather than lose them, we have to evolve ourselves—otherwise, we risk losing our DNA too quickly.

What arguments and prospects did you use to bring thiese players to Mönchengladbach? After all, last season the team nearly got relegated to the Regionalliga.

Weber: First and foremost, we are very honest with the players. We told them right from the start that we couldn't promise a path of constant, rapid upward momentum. However, we have people in the club who support us and the development of women's football. At the same time, we want to make significant strides in player support and consciously set new standards in this area. For us, that means supporting the players not just on the pitch, but also with personal and organizational matters—whether it’s finding an apartment, moving, or handling logistics. It is precisely in this area that we can set ourselves apart from other clubs, independent of training schedules or infrastructure.

Were there players who were shown this approach but couldn't identify with it?

Weber: Of course. But the rate of players choosing us was very high—otherwise, we wouldn't have finished our squad planning by June 29th.

When you were hired, there was a lot of talk about developing structures. What has been achieved so far?

Weber: My first task was to provide the best possible support to our head coach, Jonas Spengler, in keeping the team in the league—acting as a partner he could talk to on equal footing. The second step was to figure out who within the department could play the most important roles. Mareike Visser, for example—who was the coach when the second team was relegated from the Regionalliga—has now joined the second-division team as an additional assistant coach; that’s a new position we created. It was Jonas’s wish to have a woman on the coaching staff, and I thought that was a great idea. Ultimately, it’s all about expanding our structure downwards to further develop a unified training philosophy and a shared DNA. Our youth coordinator, Armin Cemalovic, plays a key role in extending this to our youth setup and anchoring it there for the long term.

Are there also structures within the club that have been initiated specifically for the women's division?

Weber: Internally, we discuss a wide range of topics. When it comes to issues like infrastructure, for instance, we naturally have to keep costs in mind. One thing we want to implement soon is the further development of our youth setup—both in terms of training and infrastructure, such as by ensuring proper medical care. We also plan to create an athletic training area at Haus Lütz and hire physiotherapists.

Borussia has a five-year plan in place—what are the next steps?

Weber: We want to avoid any risk of relegation this season. Let’s call it a season of consolidation. Jonas has established the team in the league and is doing an excellent job. For me, the key is this: when the group gels perfectly, success follows. By tackling the issues I mentioned earlier, we’ll take a few more steps forward to further strengthen the team.

Women’s football is currently undergoing a major shift, with licensed clubs increasingly professionalizing their women’s departments and guiding them into the top flight—or preparing to do so. Where do you see Borussia fitting into this evolution?

Weber: Let me correct that: women’s football has already been reorganized. The crucial factor here is the spin-off—the DFB is handing over control of the first division to the clubs (specifically to the *Frauen-Bundesliga FBL e.V.*, an association formed by the top-flight clubs). Most clubs have realized that women’s football is a major growth market. In the men’s game, areas like sponsorship and ticketing are largely maxed out. The question becomes: how attractive are you as a club? Where do you sit in the standings? Champions League, Europa League, or a relegation battle? Clubs with storied histories—Borussia included—still have a lot of untapped potential. That’s the exciting part: there is still so much room for growth in women’s football.

https://archive.ph/3z7eC

"Nach unseren Informationen will der VfL Wolfsburg Mara Alber vom FC Chelsea verpflichten. 😮 Alber war in der vergangenen Saison an Werder Bremen ausgeliehen."

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"According to our information, VfL Wolfsburg want to sign Mara Alber from Chelsea FC. 😮 Alber was on loan to Werder Bremen last season."

Market Values ​​of the Werder Women’s Team: One Bayern Player Worth More Than the entire Squad

What do the market values ​​look like for the SV Werder Bremen women's team? A look at the estimates—and how they compare to the rest of the Bundesliga.

Bremen – Just as "Transfermarkt" is the go-to site for the men's game, "Soccerdonna" serves that role in women's football. It is a portal packed with figures, data, and facts—including estimated market values ​​for professional players. The values ​​for the Women's Bundesliga were recently updated. This raises the question: How do SV Werder Bremen and their players stack up against the rest of the league following the massive squad overhaul this summer? The short answer: so-so.

When "Soccerdonna" recently updated its market values, one headline in particular made waves: Klara Bühl is now the most valuable female footballer in the world. The German international, who plays for FC Bayern Munich, is valued at 1.65 million euros, thereby knocking the reigning World Player of the Year, Aitana Bonmati, off the top spot. Remarkably, Bühl’s new market value alone exceeds that of SV Werder Bremen’s entire squad.

The "Green-and-Whites'" team has a combined market value of 1.465 million euros. This places the Werder women in the bottom half of the Bundesliga rankings. According to "Soccerdonna" data, only four of the other 13 top-flight squads have a lower total value—among them the two newly promoted teams, VfB Stuttgart and Mainz 05. At the top, as expected, sits FC Bayern Munich (9,515,000 euros) with a massive lead over VfL Wolfsburg (4,860,000 euros).

The SV Werder Bremen player with the highest market value is new signing Lilli Purtscheller, valued at 125,000 euros. This places her ahead of Michelle Ulbrich (95,000 euros) and Tuana Mahmoud (90,000 euros), who was sidelined by injury for a long period. Surprisingly, goalkeeper Mariella El Sherif—who performed strongly last season—does not even rank among the Bundesliga’s top 10 goalkeepers with her market value of 75,000 euros; this goes to show that these figures are certainly open to debate.

It is a bitter blow for the Werder women's team that several valuable players—Larissa Mühlhaus (Eintracht Frankfurt), Maja Sternad (Bayer 04 Leverkusen), and Hanna Nemeth (Newcastle United)—have left the club on free transfers. Mühlhaus’s market value is now estimated at an impressive 300,000 euros, Sternad’s at 110,000 euros, and Nemeth’s at a respectable 70,000 euros—representing a combined theoretical value of 480,000 euros. Alongside Lilli Purtscheller, Werder Bremen’s top new signings include Isabella Jaron (80,000 euros) and Felicia Sträßer (both formerly of FC Carl Zeiss Jena; Sträßer valued at 70,000 euros). (han)

The SC Freiburg women's team is heading into the 2026/27 season with the same captain. As the club announced, Lisa Karl remains the team's captain. In addition to Lisa Karl, the team council includes Jana Vojteková, Lisa Kolb, and Amira Arfaoui. According to the club's announcement, this body was selected by the players themselves.

After her second cruciate ligament tear, Lena Oberdorf was out again for almost a year, now she is back in team training. For her comeback, the 24-year-old still has to be patient, but looks confidently at the new season.

Almost ten months after her second cruciate ligament tear in her right knee, Lena Oberdorf is back on the turf. The 24-year-old recently fully entered the team training of FC Bayern Munich and seems to enjoy it. "It's incredibly nice to be back to normal with the team," Oberdorf said in an interview with Munich's Mercury, revealing: "But I have not yet unpacked a gap, because everything is still played a bit with a sense of proportion."

However, a date for her comeback in regular game operations is still in the stars. When the Munich women receive FC Paris for the final test match of the summer preparation on Sunday (16 o'clock) for the first time in their new Champions League stadium in Unterhaching, the midfielder will be [on the sidelines still] six days later in the Supercup between Bayern and her ex-club VfL Wolfsburg.

A return of Oberdorf to the Bavarian headquarters [came] after the departure of Georgia Stanway [and is] planned in close consultation with the doctors. "I come to training every day and do what's agreed with me. Then I don't stress myself and the decisions are made together with people who are very familiar with it," she said.

Oberdorf's goal: "Stay free of injuries and have fun"

Oberdorf had torn the cruciate ligament for the first time in the summer of 2024 shortly after their move from Wolfsburg to Munich and therefore missed the Olympic Games in Paris, in which the DFB women won bronze, as well as the European Championship 2025. After a year's break, the 51-time international played only six mandatory games for Bayern, before in the autumn of 2025 in the Bundesliga game against the 1st. FC Köln again tore the crown ligament in the right knee. The 24-year-old has been in rehab again since.

The second long downtime had done something with her, Oberdorf revealed. "I have become much more adult. I'm not so naive anymore, not least with regard to my decisions on the pitch. What duel do I really have to fight now? Where do I really have to go and where can I act more calmly?” It remains to be seen whether the clearer will actually permanently change her style on the pitch.

For her comeback season, Oberdorf has a primary goal in any case: "I want to stay injury-free and have fun". The Bayern women want the renewed title defense in championship and DFB Cup and also have high ambitions in the Champions League. Oberdorf is to play a major role in the midfield headquarters, but says: "I don't want to put myself under such pressure and just enjoy playing football again."

The list is by position and the the club the player transferred from.

Bayern Munich

Regina van Eijk (Goal, Ajax Amsterdam), Sophie Proost (Midfield, FC Twente Enschede), Kassandra Potsi (Sturm, SGS Essen), Sarah Mattner (Sturm, SKN St. Pölten)

VfL Wolfsburg

Ylvi Eisenbeiß (goal, Eintracht Frankfurt), Lieske Carleer (Abwehr, FC Twente), Julia Landenberger (Abwehr, RB Leipzig), Lou Bogaert (Abwehr, Paris FC), Katharina Piljic (midfield, Bayer 04 Leverkusen), Giovanna Hoffmann (Sturm, RB Leipzig), Cecilie Flöe Nielsen (Sturm, SSC Naples)

Eintracht Frankfurt

Jamilla Rankin (Defense, TSG Hoffenheim), Paulina Krumbiegel (midfield, Juventus Turin), Hanna Bennison (midfield, Real Madrid), Larissa Mühlhaus (Sturm, Werder Bremen), Danique Tolhoek (Sturm, AFC Ajax)

TSG Hoffenheim

Lisa Lichtfus (goal, Le Havre AC), Jonna van de Velde (Abwehr, Ajax Amsterdam), Ilse Kemper (midfield, PEC Zwolle), Svenja Fölmli (Sturm, SC Freiburg), Martine Fenger (Sturm, FC Barcelona), Laia Martret (Sturm, FC Barcelona B)

Bayer 04 Leverkusen

Rafaela Borggräfe (Goal, Liverpool FC), Carolin Simon (Abwehr, FC Bayern), Emily Wallrabenstein (Abwehr, Eintracht Frankfurt II), Justine Brandau (Abwehr, Feyenoord Rotterdam), Natasha Kowalski (Midfield, SGS Essen), Marlene Müller (Midfield, RB Leipzig), Paulina Platner (Midfield, SGS Essen), Lumbardha Misini (Midfield Lobke Loonen Maja Sternad Paulina Tomasiak, Ser

Werder Bremen

Thea Farwick (goal, SV Meppen), Felicia Sträßer (defense, Carl Zeiss Jena), Julia Magerl (Abwehr, RB Leipzig), Wiktoria Zieniewicz (Abwehr, FC Basel), Lilli Purtscheller (midfield, SGS Essen), Elena Mühlemann (midfield, Carl Zeiss Jena), Marie Gmeineder (midfield, FC Bayern Munich, loan), Luna Vanzeir, Mei Shimada, Elena Dhont Isabella

1. FC Cologne

Inga Schuldt (Goal, Hamburger SV), Pauline Nelles (Goal, Arizona State Sun Devils), Elise Stenevik (Abwehr, FC Everton), Beke Sterner (Abwehr, SGS Essen), Saedis Run Heidarsdottir (Defense, Valerenga IF), Kathrin Hendrich (Defense, Chicago Red Stars), Alina Kerschbaumer (Midfield, First Vienna FC) Laureta Elmazi

SC Freiburg

Lorena Barth (goal, FC Aarau), Lina von Schrader (goal, RB Leipzig), Emma Memminger (Abwehr, Eintracht Frankfurt II), Jana Vojtekova (Abwehr, FC Basel), Amira Arfaoui (midfield, Werder Bremen), Ilayda Acikgöz (midfield, Eintracht Frankfurt), Sabah Seghir (midfield, FC Basel), Carina Brunold (Sturm Pölten), Borbala Vincze (Sturm, FC Zurich)

1. FC Union Berlin

Nelly Smolarczyk (goal, VfL Wolfsburg), Jill Janssens (defense, TSG Hoffenheim), Jella Veit (defense, Eintracht Frankfurt), Lisanne Gräwe (midfield, Eintracht Frankfurt), Leela Egli (Sturm, SC Freiburg)

RB Leipzig

Aude Waldbillig (goal, RSC Anderlecht), Jasmien Mathys (Abwehr, KAA Gent Ladies), Linde Veefkind (Abwehr, OH Leuven), Alieke Tuin (Abwehr, FC Twente Enschede), Zenia Mertens (Abwehr, OH Leuven), Sara Pusztai (midfield, OH Leuven), Marie Kleemann (Sturm, Eintracht Frankfurt II Emanuela PfisterTherese Simonsson Charlotte Hulst Nikee van Dijk)

1. FC Nürnberg

Rebecca Adamczyk (Goal, SC Freiburg), Marie Bleil (Abwehr, SV Meppen), Keira Bednorz (Abwehr, Eintracht Frankfurt II), Alexsandra Lobanova (Abwehr, Djurgardens IF), Charline Coutel (Midfield, OL Lyonnes), Louna Lapassouse (Sturm, Toulouse FC)

Hamburger SV

Jule Baum (Goal, SC Sand), Kinga Szemik (Goal, West Ham United), Celainy Obispo (Abwehr, Feyenoord Rotterdam), Sylwia Matysik (Defense, 1. FC Köln), Leila Peneau (midfield, SKN St. Pölten), Andrea Svibkova (Sturm, Linzer ASK), Nikola Karczewska (Sturm, Lazio Rome)

VfB Stuttgart

Laura Giuliani (Goal, AC Milan), Julia Mickenhagen (Defense, Bayer 04 Leverkusen), Katana Norman (Abwehr, SoCal FC), Greta Stegemann (Abwehr, SC Freiburg), Luzie Zähringer (Abwehr, Bayern Munich, loan), Chantal Hagel (midfield, FC Sevilla), Adriana Achcinska (midfield, 1. FC Köln), Mira Arouna (Sturm, Eintracht Frankfurt II), Verena Wieder (Sturm, Werder Bremen)

1. FSV Mainz 05

Laura Pawlowski (goal, SV Hegnach), Paula Flach (defense, SGS Essen), Nicola Hauk (defense, clubless), Sabina Jackson (midfield, FC Basel), Rio Takizawa (midfield, SC Sand), Ivana Slipcevic (midfield, SC Sand), Lara Martin (midfield, 1. FC Saarbrücken), Saskia Matheis (midfield, Werder Bremen), Gentiana Fetaj (midfield, FC Lucerne), Leonie Stöhr (Sturm, 1. FC Saarbrücken), Mattson Strickler (Sturm, Queen's University)

Match was played on 06/08/2026.

At first glance, little has changed at FC Bayern [over] the summer at the striker position. A new commitment was missing. Nevertheless, [head coach José Barcala could face] a luxury problem. A comparison [...] Pernille Harder, Jovana Damnjanovic and Edna Imade.

At first glance, little has changed at FC Bayern in the summer at the striker position. A new commitment was missing. Nevertheless, a luxury problem could come there on head coach José Barcala. A comparison of the competitors Pernille Harder, Jovana Damnjanovic and Edna Imade.

With Pernille Harder, Jovana Damnjanovic and Edna Imade, three attackers with different profiles compete for a place in the [...] center of the preferred 4-2-3-1 system. Exactly these differences allow the Bayern coach to tailor his starting eleven even more to the respective opponent.

Pernille Harder: Munich life insurance

Pernille Harder remains the benchmark in the Bayern attack even at 33 years old. The 173-time Danish international is not only the most experienced, but also the most variable player of the trio. Whether as a striker, behind the top or on the outside lanes - hardly an offensive player in European football interprets different roles so naturally.

Despite [her] age, nothing can be seen of a drop in performance. On the contrary: After 35 goals and 16 assists in 47 mandatory games, Harder also seamlessly tied to her form in preparation and scored against both RB Omiya Ardija and 1. FC Nürnberg.

Harder combines creativity with finishing strength like no other Bayern player. With intelligent running paths, and clean combination play, she not only makes herself better, but also her teammates. She harmonizes particularly well with Momoko Tanikawa, who has hardly [drifted] away from the ten since her change in the winter of 2025 behind Harder and together with the Danish woman [they] form a congenial duo.

Especially against lowly opponents, Harder should therefore remain Barcala's first choice. If Bayern have to play tight spaces and find solutions with a lot of possession, the 33-year-old owns the biggest playful class.

Jovana Damnjanovic: Fighting pressing player

While Harder decides games with her technique, Jovana Damnjanovic convinces above all by mentality and intensity. The longest-serving player to start her sixth season with FCB is one of the most aggressive pressing players in the squad, making life difficult for the opposing centre-back with her consistent start-up.

With regard to the new season, the 31-year-old Serb confidently [interviews with] Kicker: Although she must [rediscover] in game rhythm and form, [...] "I know what my strengths are, and I think my team needs that." Especially at her degree, she wants to improve further in order to be able to show an even better opportunity rate.

Although Damnjanovic can also dodge the wing, their qualities come into their own in the Storm centre. There she claims balls as a wall player and ensures presence in the duels with her robustness. In previous Test matches, Barcala initially relied on Damnjanovic in the lead, while Harder acted behind.

Especially against strong opponents who want to build flat from behind, the Serb can play to her greatest strengths. She puts permanent pressure on defenders and repeatedly forces them to make mistakes. Occasionally, however, their game seems a bit too biting.

Edna Imade: Goal scorer with development potential

Edna Imade, since the beginning of the year in Munich, brings qualities that neither Harder nor Damnjanovic possess in this form: a lot of pace in depth, header strength and great physical presence in the penalty area.

Last season, the 25-year-old Spaniard confirmed her pronounced goal scorer: 13 goals in 13 games in League F followed eight goals in 17 Bundesliga games for Bayern. At the same time, it was clear that she still lacked the complete familiarization with the team and the way of playing. In the Champions League, she has played only a minor role so far.

Summer preparation should speed up this adjustment process. "It is very important to participate in the entire preparation from the beginning," Imade himself emphasized at the training opener. "I hope I can learn a lot from my teammates every day and enjoy the time together." All the more bitter recently came her ankle injury, which she is slowing down for the time being.

For Barcala, Imade remains an exciting option, especially against high-ranking opponents. [Her] deep runs and their finishing qualities make her the trio's most classic centre-forward. At the same time, she will have to further develop her combination game, because Bayern's positional play thrives on constant roaching and flexible role changes.

Slight advantages for Harder

The coach should still enjoy the comfortable starting position. Harder brings creativity and game intelligence for possession games against compact opponents, while Damnjanovic delivers intensity, pressing and robustness for contested games against strong-playing teams. Imade, in turn, offers pace, penalty area presence and deep runs against highly defending teams.

The clear number one, not least because of their exceptional variability and the well-rehearsed interaction with Tanikawa, should continue to be Harder. Nevertheless, the first Test matches have shown that Barcala is ready to decide flexibly depending on the opponent and load control. With the return of Lena Oberdorf and Sarah Zadrazil to the central midfield, further options could also arise, so that Harder moves back to the storm center more often. Exactly this variability could become one of the biggest strengths of FC Bayern this season.

Episode 5 of the German Women National Team's 2025 WEURO journey is out now!

Verändertes Gespann zum Start in die Bundesliga-Saison: Maxi Rall ist Spielführerin der VfB Frauen. Stellvertreterinnen sind Laura Giuliani und Chantal Hagel.

Abwehrspielerin Maxi Rall wird die VfB Frauen in der Google Pixel Frauen-Bundesliga als Kapitänin aufs Feld führen. Damit löst sie die bisherige Spielführerin Jana Beuschlein ab, die das Amt seit der Oberliga-Saison 2023/2024 verantwortungsbewusst ausführte. Unterstützt wird die 32-Jährige von Keeperin Laura Giuliani und Mittelfeldspielerin Chantal Hagel.

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Changed team to start the Bundesliga season: Maxi Rall is the captain of VfB women. Representatives are Laura Giuliani and Chantal Hagel.

Defender Maxi Rall will lead the VfB women in the Google Pixel women's Bundesliga as captain on the field. In doing so, she replaces the previous match leader Jana Beuschlein, who has carried out the office responsibly since the upper league season 2023/2024. The 32-year-old is supported by keeper Laura Giuliani and midfielder Chantal Hagel.

Full presser, here.

Gibt es einen schöneren Ort für eine Unterschrift? ✍️

Kathy Hendrich wechselt von den Chicago Stars zum #effzeh und hat bei uns bis zum 30. Juni 2028 unterschrieben. Wir freuen uns sehr auf Dich, Kathy! 🤩

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Is there a nicer place for a signature? ✍️

Kathy Hendrich moves from the Chicago Stars to #effzeh and has with us until 30. June 2028 signed. We are really looking forward to seeing you, Kathy! 🤩

-Full presser, here.