The women from Bayer 04 Leverkusen delivered a courageous performance against Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich – and yet came away empty-handed. At the start of the second half of the season, Leverkusen suffered a 0:3 (0:1) defeat on Monday (December 22nd, 2025).
The goals were scored by Franziska Kett (16th), Momoko Tanikwawa (75th, penalty kick) and Georgia Stanway (86th, hand penalty). Leverkusen has been waiting for a win against Bayern Munich since 2009. The German champions continue to confidently lead the table with their 13th win of the season in 14 unbeaten games.
Leverkusen goes into the winter break until the end of January in seventh place with 22 points. However, Werder Bremen in third place is only four points away.
Early chance for Leverkusen
The Leverkusen team started bravely and the first good offensive scene belonged to the hosts. After less than two minutes, Cornelia Kramer appeared alone in front of the goal after a Bender cross. But FCB goalkeeper Ena Mahmutovic was already up to speed, quickly shortened the angle and blocked the shot.
Leverkusen stuck with it and attacked Munich’s build-up game early. In addition, the Munich team played too imprecisely, especially in the early stages, so that there were always switching moments. However, coach Roberto Pätzold’s team did not use this consistently enough.
Franziska Kett strikes for Munich
The league leader then showed how to do that. Pernille Harder ran a long ball behind the Bayer 04 defense on the left. In the penalty area she cleverly passed it back to Jovana Damnjanovic. She had the peace to turn and look into the backcourt. Kett put the clever save into the goal with a powerful shot from 18 meters to make it 1-0.
And with the second good attack, the visitors had their second goal on their hands. Defender Lilla Turanyi didn’t really get the ball under control in the Leverkusen penalty area and caught Harder as he followed up. There was a penalty – but the Dane missed it miserably (25th). The weak shot into the left corner was no problem for goalkeeper Friederike Repohl.
After that the game became more disjointed. Leverkusen tried to gain access to the game. But Munich mostly had control of the ball – but without becoming dangerous going forward.
Leverkusen enters the second half with a lot of pressure
Despite the deficit, Bayer Leverkusen came out of the break with a lot of steam. Kristin Kögel (56th) failed to get an attempt from 16 meters into the goal. But it was Leverkusen’s turn now, setting the Munich team early and then quickly moving forward.
The Bayern players only appeared after counterattacks. But the German champions could have made the decision. Damjanovic moved into the penalty area from the right and also put it across – but into the back of Harder (65th). Even when Damjanovic (69th) appeared alone in front of the goal, the preliminary decision had not yet been made.
Munich with a stronger final spurt
Bayern’s actions became more compelling again and Leverkusen seemed to be running out of steam after the great effort at the start of the second half. Nevertheless, FC Bayern needed a penalty to get the final security. Turanyi caught Harder’s foot on the edge of the penalty area during an attempt to free him.
To the annoyance of Leverkusen there were penalties. This time Tanikwawa stepped up and scored safely in the top left corner to make it 2-0. The Rhinelanders then fought for connection. But as time went on there was simply a lack of precision towards the penalty area. The favorites sealed the deal with another penalty. When Julia Mickenhagen turned away from a cross from the right, the ball jumped into her hand. Stanway, Bayern’s third shooter, went to the point and scored into the right corner to make it 3-0.
A lot of effort, no return and bad luck with penalties – for the women of Bayer 04 Leverkusen, the 2025 football year ended unfortunately or unsatisfactorily with the fourth defeat from the last five Bundesliga games. After the winter break, Leverkusen continues with the away game at 1. FC Union Berlin on Friday, January 23rd, 2026 (6:30 p.m.). Bayern Munich starts the new year two days later against RB Leipzig (6.30 p.m.).
Our sources:
- Game between Leverkusen and Munich on December 22nd, 2025
Broadcast: WDR.de | Bayern clearly defeat brave Leverkusen team | December 22, 2025, 8:37 p.m
