Union Impresses Despite 1:4 Loss to FC Bayern - 17,083 Spectators

The 1. FC Union lost 1:4 to FC Bayern Munich, but 17,083 spectators filled the Stadion An der Alten Försterei. The opening match of the new Frauen-Bundesliga season ended with a clear win for the double-winners, yet Union did not let the defeat bring them down and delivered an impressive performance that even impressed Bayern coach José Barcala.

A Strong Crowd

More than 100,000 fans attended Union’s home games last season, a setting that the Berliners had not experienced in the Frauen-Bundesliga before this Friday evening. "I’ve never had such goosebumps when running onto a stadium," said Union’s Samantha Steuerwald. The atmosphere was loud, the red-white kits filled the stands, and the fans sang as if they had their own team.

Match Summary

Union started well, but an early pass from new signing Lisanne Gräwe let Eileen Campbell outmaneuver the opposing defence and miss a potential goal. Bayern showed visual superiority, yet the Berliners held their ground. Just before the penalty area, Samantha Steuerwald committed a foul, after which Klara Bühl shot the ball right above the Berlin goal. Two minutes after the half-time break, Pernille Harder scored a 2:0, but Glodis Viggosdottir increased the score after a corner and set the game at 3:0. Union did not give up and brought the score to 1:3 through Nele Bauereisen and Naika Reissner. The final touch was Bayern’s Sophie Proost with a beautiful solo performance.

"We had the better chances, but the set-pieces killed us today," said Steuerwald. Marie-Louise Eta, Union’s coach, said after her debut: "4:1 is very clear and it annoys us, but we have shown that we can annoy the Bayern at times."

Outlook

Bayern coach José Barcala praised the development of the Köpenickers: "They have a clear vision and know where they are going. That is exemplary. It is only a matter of time until Union becomes a real competitor for our club." The investments in squad and infrastructure have made the jump from the Regionalliga to a highly traded team possible. Union can now build on a strong foundation and has the potential to dominate the Bundesliga in the coming matches.

The season has begun with an impressive start, showing that Union, despite a clear loss, is a serious threat to the established teams.