Strong determination, a record-breaking run and an unstoppable train: how FCB Women secured the title at Union

At the end of a memorable Wednesday night, the song that epitomises FC Bayern Women’s successes of recent years more than any other echoed through the stands of the Alte Försterei stadium: “Der Zug hat keine Bremse” (The train has no brakes) – that party banger that has long since become the team’s unofficial anthem. Bayern had done it once again; the league title was in the bag. And yet, the exuberant atmosphere after the final whistle only partially reflected just how hard this success had been earned. Union Berlin had demanded everything possible from the double winners on the night.

For when the half-time whistle blew at 6.48 pm, hardly anyone was seriously thinking about celebrations. Yet everything was in place for a historic entry into the record books: a fourth consecutive league title, a feat previously achieved only by Turbine Potsdam and VfL Wolfsburg; the first away match in the capital under floodlights. But the Irons had their own plans that night. Like a Gallic village, the team from the south of the capital, buoyed by the unique atmosphere at the Alte Försterei, held their own against the supposed football powerhouse from Munich. With indomitable fighting spirit, tactical discipline and remarkable mental resilience, the Köpenick side pushed José Barcala’s team to their absolute limits.

However, Bayern got off to a perfect start: after just six minutes, Edna Imade picked up where she’d left off in the international break for Spain and set the reigning champions on course for victory. But the euphoria of taking the lead was not to last long. Instead, the early goal ignited even more energy among the 13,220 spectators in the Köpenick cauldron, raising the already impressive noise level many times over – and with immediate effect. Just three minutes after falling behind, Sophie Weidauer launched a counter-attack and beat Ena Mahmutovic in a one-on-one to level the score. A goal that, as well as putting a damper on the title race, also marked the first goal conceded against a promoted side in ten outings.

Undeterred by the early setback, the Munich women took control of the game from then on and pushed every outfield player forward into the opposition’s half. But the Union bullwark stood firm. Every pass was intercepted just before reaching its target, every shot was blocked. The Iron’s defensive barrier seemed virtually impenetrable. “In the first half, we had a lot of control in midfield, but we lacked the cutting edge up front,” was how head coach Barcala summed up the first half.

After the break, it looked as though the match might follow a similar pattern. But the Munich side remained patient, biding their time for even the slightest lapse in concentration. Their motivation was clear: to wrap up their title defence in Berlin and extend their personal record of 18 unbeaten Bundesliga games. The reward came in the 50th minute: Barbara Dunst beat the Berliners' defence with a long-range thunderbolt and put Bayern back on course for the title. The Austrian was somewhat lost for words after the final whistle, as this was the 28-year-old’s first Bundesliga win: “It’s absolutely incredible. After my long injury, it feels like a reward.”

But there was still a long way to go till the final whistle. The Union players, spurred on by a stadium that cheered every ball won as if it were a goal, refused to give up and continued to believe they could cause an upset. Like a shot to the heart of the Bavarians, Lia Kamber Mahmutovic came out of nowhere to equalise once again in the closing stages. But if there was one thing that had consistently distinguished the team led by captain Glódís Viggósdóttir this season, it was resilience, willpower and an unshakeable belief in one another. This also applied to coach Barcala, who played a blinder when he brought on Giulia Gwinn in the 71st minute.

Gwinn with the winner

The Germany captain, who had had to withdraw from the national team just a week ago, was set up by a cross from Bühl with six minutes to go and fired a beautiful volley into the net. “All in all, it’s been a great night. It wasn’t the match we’d hoped for. But even so, it is of course wonderful that we managed to achieve our main objective of defending the Bundesliga title, today,” said the goalscorer, looking back on a match in which she and her team once again proved they are unbeatable and always find a way. In the capital, under the floodlights and in front of a huge crowd, they provided final proof that they deserved to be crowned champions for the eighth time.

Ready for the next few weeks

Following the match, Bianca Rech stressed that winning four consecutive league titles was “incredible” and that the consistency shown this season at the “very highest level” made it a truly special campaign. At the same time, the director stressed how important it is to consciously savour such rare moments – for players, coaching staff and management alike.

Head coach Barcala said that this title was the well-deserved reward for a long journey and that he was indescribably proud of his players, especially of the way they fought back when the going got tough. And president Herbert Hainer even spoke of the “next historic feat”, congratulating “the most successful women's title-winners in FC Bayern’s history”, on whom the entire club looks with great pride. At the same time, he was already looking ahead to the Champions League semi-final against Barcelona (get your tickets here!), which will mark the new German champions’ next outing on the big stage at the Allianz Arena.

That clash in the premier club competition in European women’s football will take place this Saturday evening in front of a huge crowd – a challenge that could scarcely be greater: the three-time champions from Spain, who were also crowned domestic champions on Wednesday evening, face the newly crowned German champions from Munich. It's precisely this challenge at the very highest European level that is making the Munich women’s anticipation grow noticeably: they're eagerly awaiting the evening, the clash with one of the best teams in the world, buoyed by the support of their fans, who will once again transform the stadium into a sea of red and white.

And who knows, perhaps it will be another one of those truly special nights in Munich, just like the three previous encounters at the Arena this season, which left a lasting mark on the club’s collective memory and will be talked about for years to come. One thing, however, is beyond doubt: the old and new German champions will once again give their all on the pitch, take on every challenge and play with the intensity, determination and willpower that has led them to the third Champions League semi-final in the club’s history this season – one need only think of the recent match against Manchester United. All this with the great hope of adding another chapter to that history.

🗞️ The match report on the clash with Union Berlin: 

🗯️ Congratulations from the bosses on the club’s eighth Bundesliga title:

🗞️ The milestones on the road to winning the title: