Roberto Pätzold, coach of the Bundesliga footballers of Bayer Leverkusen
That can’t harm. Roberto Pätzold, coach of the Bundesliga football players of Bayer Leverkusen, is also privately surrounded by women. “I have three daughters, my mother has eight sisters. I myself have a sister, niece and ten cousins. So we are really a lot of women in the family. That shaped me, «said Pätzold in an interview with the dpa.
The 46 -year -old has been coaching the female workself since last summer. After the best season in the club’s history, he extended his contract early until 2027 and wants to continue success. “We are confident about the new season, knowing that the competitive situation has changed,” says Pätzold. »Bavaria, Wolfsburg and Frankfurt were still ahead of Constance and continuity. But we want to reduce the distance – tabular and in the direct duels. “
At the start, a highlight is waiting with one of these duels. In the Allianz Arena, Leverkusen will meet the German champion FC Bayern Munich in the opening game of the new Bundesliga season on Saturday. “This is a huge push. I hope the players inspire it, «says Pätzold. »We have to be absolutely on-point in order to be able to survive at FC Bayern. But we are confident and full of anticipation. “
In the meantime, 50,000 tickets have been sold for the opening game, as FC Bayern Munich announced on Monday. The game becomes a historical event: Never before have so many tickets sold for a Bundesliga game of women in this country. The previous audience record of 38,365 fans was set up in the duel between 1. FC Köln and Eintracht Frankfurt in 2022.
For Pätzold and his team, the start is not only a sporting challenge, but also a sign of the upswing in women’s football. “The players work hard and professionally every day and therefore deserve to play in front of such scenes,” emphasizes the Berlin -born, who also pleases the media presence. In addition to Magenta Sport and DAZN, the ARD The league start of the football players on free TV.
“If there is a good time to annoy Bayern, then maybe at the beginning of the season,” Pätzold looks ahead. After the successful pre -season, the coach also knows that the new season will not be a sure -fire success. »It will be an exciting challenge to confirm the performance and the results from our record season. If you have reached a high level, you also need an even higher investment to take very small further development steps. «
But the prerequisites for the team are good: top performers could be held and the squad were strengthened – among other things with international Carlotta Wamser and striker Vanessa Fudalla. “We stay true to our philosophy: the squad is deliberately rather small because we also want to give young players the opportunity to play at season,” says Pätzold, for the Bayer Leverkusen the first stop in women’s professional football.
A difference to men’s football is primarily in the heterogeneity of the biographies, he explains. “There are players who have been trained in the youth performance center since early youth – and others who spent their entire youth in boys’ teams.” In addition, some young players would have a double burden on school or vocational training. Cycle -based training is also an issue.
And something else is different. “As a man, of course, I can’t have the same presence in the cabin as with a men’s team. But we have a great staff and complement each other very well, “explains the trainer, who particularly appreciates something:” Communication is different from men, feedback culture is much more pronounced. I find that very pleasant. “
