FC Carl Zeiss Jena: Melina Reuter on the fight to stay in the league

Jena. It was a sigh of relief that could be heard as far as the Paradies: With a 2-1 away victory against direct competitors 1. FC Union Berlin, the women of FC Carl Zeiss Jena have sent a clear sign of life in the battle to remain in the Google Pixel Frauen-Bundesliga. Striker Melina Reuter, who played a decisive role in the victory in the capital, assesses the current situation and explains why the head is just as important as the legs in a relegation battle.

Keeping a cool head in the cauldron

The victory in Berlin-Köpenick was worth more than just three points – it was a confirmation of morale. For 20-year-old attacker Melina Reuter, the key to success lay primarily in the team’s mental strength. Despite the tense situation in the standings and the pressure, the team did not let themselves be rattled. “It was very important that we didn’t get hectic even in difficult phases, but kept our calm,” Reuter analyzes in retrospect. This composure, paired with effective finishing, made the difference in the end.

Jena had already triumphed 1-0 at the same location in the DFB-Pokal round of 16. According to Reuter, this positive memory was certainly present: “We had that game in the back of our minds and therefore a good feeling for the new encounter.”

Personal breakthrough after illness

For Reuter personally, the game in Berlin was also a milestone. She contributed her first goal of the season – a goal she had to wait a long time for. The first half of the season was anything but optimal for the striker, as she was repeatedly set back by illness-related breaks. “I had some starting problems because of that,” she admits openly. However, the start of the new year shows a clear upward trend. The fact that she is now fit again and can help the team directly with goals is of enormous importance for FCC in the final stretch of the season.

Defensive stability as a foundation

However, football is known to be a team sport, and so Reuter also highlights the performance of her teammates. The victory against Union was hard work, especially in defense. When the Berliners did manage to break through, goalkeeper Jasmin Janning was reliable, thwarting several good chances for the hosts. “The basis is always that everyone fights for each other,” Reuter summarizes the Jena team’s credo.

Looking ahead: Difficult tasks await

Even though the victory in Berlin briefly allowed the team to leave the bottom of the table, the air in the Bundesliga remains thin. Matches against top teams like FC Bayern München demand everything from the squad. However, the success against Union has shown that FC Carl Zeiss Jena is alive and ready to take on the fight for survival. With a mixture of fighting passion and the “cool head” invoked by Reuter, the necessary points are to be collected in the coming weeks to stay in the league.

Source:

Jena striker Melina Reuter: „With a cool head to league survival“

Transparency Note: This article was created automatically, editorially reviewed, and expanded with AI support.

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