Back
3.03.2020DFB-Pokal

Cup clash brings family rivalry

Melissa Friedrich (22) has played for the Bayer 04 Bundesliga women's team since 2016, Marvin Friedrich (24) joined Union Berlin at the start of this season. Tonight, their clubs not only meet in the DFB Cup Round of 16 tie at the BayArena (18.30 CET) but it also brings a reunion of the siblings. We spoke to them ahead of the game…
Marvin_Melissa_Friedrich.jpg

Your two clubs are nearly 600 kilometres apart – when did you last manage to see each other before this game?
Marvin:
We saw each other two weeks ago.
Melissa: That's right, I visited Marvin when Bayer 04 were away at Union.
Marvin: We see each other more often in the summer and winter breaks. Or, if there is an international break, we both go home to Kassel. Otherwise, we keep in contact quite a lot and write to each as well.

Two siblings playing in the top flight – that doesn't happen very often. Did you ever think that would happen?
Marvin:
I don't think anybody could count on that. We just worked for it. I went from the the Schalke youth set-up to Augsburg. It didn't go so well for me there and then I moved on to Union Berlin where I've really been able to find my way in the Bundesliga.
Melissa: To be honest, I didn't think that would happen either. I had a similar experience: I was in the youth team at FFC Frankfurt and although I did manage to move up to the first team I never got much time on the pitch. When I came to Leverkusen I was straight into the Bundesliga team. Apart from my current injury (torn cruciate, ed.), which is progressing really well, everything has been pretty good up to now.

Looking back at how you started in football – did you play football together when you were children?
Marvin:
Yes, definitely. We've got an older brother and a younger sister and we all played together back then. We had two big goals in the garden and it was always football for us rather than any other sport. Nobody thought back then that two of us would actually end up playing in the Bundesliga.

Do you watch each other's games if you can fit it in?
Marvin:
It's a bit difficult for me because Melissa's games are rarely broadcast. If there is one on TV then I'll watch it. Otherwise I follow her games on live text commentary and I'm always happy when she plays and wins.
Melissa: I try to watch every Union game. Even when I'm playing away for the women's team, I watch the matches on my mobile. If I get the chance, I always try to go to the games.

 

 

imago42685601h_Melissa_Marvin_Friedrich.jpg

Do you analyse each other's games afterwards? Is there criticism, praise or tips?
Marvin:
We congratulate each other if things go well. But there is no great analysis. We're quick to talk about other subjects.

Now your two clubs meet in the cup. Will it be a special game for the two of you?
Melissa: 
It will be for me! It's a home game for me and that's something special. I can walk to the stadium.
Marvin:  After the draw, I thought my sister would come and watch us at the stadium. Of course, it's great to be in the quarter-finals but playing Leverkusen of all people doesn't make the game any more special for me. It's a game like any other that we want to win. I would have preferred to have been at home but that makes Melissa even happier.
Melissa:  Absolutely! And this time I was able to get the tickets myself otherwise Marvin has to do it (she laughs)

Marvin, this is the third time Union have played the Werkself this season – you were on the losing side both times but only just in the last match. How do you think the game will turn out and what can the Werkself expect?
Marvin: 
At home, we played well up to the 80th minute against Bayer 04. We know it'll be a bit more difficult for us away from home. But you could see that we can cause problems for Leverkusen too. Now it's a cup game: win or lose – there aren’t any draws. Obviously we're going to Leverkusen with the attitude of wanting to get through to the semi-finals. Any which way!

Melissa, hand on heart: Who are you really crossing your fingers for tomorrow? Your club or your brother's?
Melissa: 
I'm torn both ways. Of course, I’ve really got my fingers crossed for my brother and I will wear a Union shirt with Friedrich on the back.
Marvin: That's probably more of a Friedrich shirt than a Union shirt… (he smiles)
Melissa:
That's right. I'm not a Union Berlin fan but I am a fan of my brother. For me, tomorrow's game is one where I can be happy whichever team goes through. So I can only be a winner!

 

Related News

Dustin Buck, Ken Izekor und Montrell Culbreath
Bayer 04 - 15.07.2025

Bayer 04 Brazil Tour – The youth players at the training camp

The Werkself training camp officially began early on Tuesday morning with the landing in Rio de Janeiro. Ahead of the first session in the afternoon local time, bayer04.de profiles the talented youngsters from the youth teams who have travelled to Brazil.

Show more
Frühbucherphase 2025/26
Bayer 04 - 15.07.2025

Update on early booker phase for 2025/26 Bundesliga home games

Preparations for the 2025/26 season are in full swing with the new head coach Erik ten Hag working for the start of the season in the middle of August. After the timings for the first matchdays in the forthcoming Bundesliga season were confirmed a few days ago, we now provide information on the first sale phase for match tickets. The early booker phase, exclusively for Bayer 04 Club members, brings some changes. Read on for further information.

Show more
SG Sonnenhof Großaspach gegen Bayer 04
DFB-Pokal - 15.07.2025

Tickets for the DFB Pokal tie at Sonnenhof Großaspach

Bayer 04 are away to SG Sonnenhof Großaspach in the first round of the 2025/26 DFB Pokal. The match is on Friday, 15 August (kick-off: 18:00 CEST) at the WIRmachenDRUCK Arena. Read on for the latest ticket information.

Show more
BayArena
Bayer 04 - 14.07.2025

Parent Company Bayer partnering for Bayer 04 Leverkusen's Preseason Tour to Brazil

Bayer 04 Leverkusen will partner closely with parent-company Bayer during its preseason tour to Brazil from July 14 to 24 this month. The backing from Bayer of the “Bayer 04 Brasil Tour” has been crucial in organizing the groundbreaking training camp for ten days, plus a host of local activities and community events capped by the match against Flamengo's U20 team on July 18 at Estádio da Gávea.

Show more
ten Hag
Bayer 04 - 14.07.2025

Timetable for training camp in Rio de Janeiro

The bags are packed and Bayer 04 will set off for Brazil in a few hours. Over the next ten days, the team led by head coach Erik ten Hag will be the first Bundesliga side to hold a training camp in the country of the five-time World Cup winners. The Werkself will train at Flamengo’s Campus Ninho do Urubu under the motto ‘Esquenta!’ (warm up) and play a friendly against the U20 team of the world-famous club. Read on for training camp timetable.

Show more