Key Highlights
- Result: 1. FC Union Berlin – FC Carl Zeiss Jena 1:2 (0:0)
- Match-winner: Olivia Alcaide scored the winning goal in the 94th minute.
- Table Situation: Jena moves out of last place, now just one point away from safety.
- Next Opponent: Home match against FC Bayern München (Wednesday).
Jena/Berlin. It was not for the faint of heart at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei on Sunday evening. But in the end, there was pure jubilation: the Bundesliga footballers of FC Carl Zeiss Jena have sent a massive signal in their fight for top-flight survival. With a 2-1 away victory against direct rivals Union Berlin, the Thuringian side made an impressive comeback.
Dramatic Final Phase Secures Three Points
For a long time, it looked as though the FCC would not be fully rewarded for a courageous performance in front of 5,000 spectators. In the first half, the guests largely dominated the play, leaving the Berlin side little room to develop. Jena was unlucky in the 25th minute when a long-range shot from Lia Kamber rattled against the crossbar.
The match picked up pace after the break. Melina Reuter gave Jena a deserved lead in the 61st minute following a well-executed one-two with Suya Haering. However, the joy was short-lived: just five minutes later, a harmless free-kick from Union player Lisa Heiseler sailed past everyone and into the net for the 1:1 equalizer. It threatened to become another draw that would have truly helped neither team.
In the fourth minute of stoppage time, however, the moment of salvation arrived for all the traveling fans from the Paradies: a communication breakdown in the Berlin defense allowed Olivia Alcaide to slide the ball into the empty net. The celebrations for the second win of the season knew no bounds.
League Standings: Hope in the Paradies
This victory is worth more than just three points—it is a mental signal to the competition. With this success, the FCC women hand over the “Rote Laterne” (the bottom spot in the table) to SGS Essen. Since Hamburger SV simultaneously lost their home match against RB Leipzig (1:3), the gap to the safety zone has shrunk to a single point.
The team has proven that it can withstand the pressure of the relegation battle. Their playful dominance in the first half and the absolute will to win the game in the final stages testify to the intact morale within the squad.
English Week: Bayern München Visits the Ernst-Abbe-Sportfeld
The players will not have much time to celebrate, as the Bundesliga schedule holds the next Herculean task in store. This coming Wednesday, the duel against the reigning champions FC Bayern München will take place at the local Ernst-Abbe-Sportfeld.
Even though the roles in this match are clearly defined, the last-minute success from Berlin should provide the necessary self-confidence. The fans in Jena now hope that the momentum can be carried forward to perhaps cause an upset against the favorites from Munich—or at least to continue the fight for survival with the same passion.
For the moment, however, one thing is clear: Jena is back in the race.