- Competition: Google Pixel Frauen-Bundesliga, Matchday 17
- Matchup: 1. FC Union Berlin – FC Carl Zeiss Jena
- Result: 1:2 (0:1)
- Goals for Jena: Melina Reuter, O. Johansson Alcaide
- Location: Berlin
Jena (09.02.2026) – FC Carl Zeiss Jena’s women return from the capital with three important points. On the 17th matchday of the Google Pixel Frauen-Bundesliga, the team achieved a narrow but well-deserved 2:1 victory against 1. FC Union Berlin. In a match defined by tactical changes and intense duels, the guests from Thüringen ultimately held the upper hand.
Early Lead and the Berlin Setback
The match began according to plan for the Jena women. The team appeared focused from the start and attempted to seize control of the game. This effort was rewarded: Melina Reuter gave FC Carl Zeiss Jena a 1:0 lead. This followed strong preparatory work by Suya Haering, who provided a textbook assist for Reuter. Her left-footed shot left the Berlin goalkeeper no chance and sparked celebrations on the visitors’ bench.
However, Union Berlin did not give up. The hosts fought their way back into the match and increased the pressure. Jena had to work hard defensively, which was also reflected in the card statistics. The equalizer was eventually the result of this Berlin pressure phase: Lisa Heiseler scored with a left-footed strike to make it 1:1. The game was completely open once again, and both teams now searched for a decisive goal.
Joker Strikes: Johansson Alcaide Decides the Match
The second half developed into a true battle of attrition. Jena’s coaching staff reacted to the increasing pressure and the exhausting match with several substitutions. Rieke Tietz replaced goalscorer Melina Reuter, and Nike Herrmann (listed as Andersson in the match report) replaced Emily Reske to bring fresh energy to the defense. The intensity of the match was shown by the color of the cards: Tietz, Andersson, Isabella Jaron, and Josephine Bonsu all saw yellow for Jena – proof of how hard the team fought for every meter of ground.
The game-deciding scene belonged to a substitute. After Lisa Gora entered the game for Noemi Gentile, she prepared the decisive moment. O. Johansson Alcaide, who had previously come on for Isabella Jaron, became the match-winner. Her left-footed shot found the back of the net to make it 2:1 for Jena. It was the so-called “lucky punch” in a phase where the game was on a knife-edge.
Conclusion and Outlook
With this away win, FC Carl Zeiss Jena solidifies its position in the league and gains confidence for the tasks ahead. The success against Union Berlin was a victory of morale and effective squad depth, as the substitutes were significantly involved in the late winning goal. While Union Berlin leaves empty-handed despite Heiseler’s goal, the Jena women can look back proudly on a unified team performance.
For the fans who made the journey to Berlin or followed the match on screen, it was an exciting afternoon with a better ending for the “Blau-Gelb-Weißen”. Now it’s about taking this momentum into the next Bundesliga matches.