Bayer 04 could have considered themselves lucky at the end of the game. Only an impressive spell late on saw the Werkself secure a 3-2 away win in Berlin in the middle of February after the team from Köpenick made the better start to the game. The impressive performances by the newcomers in the league game should serve as a warning for the cup tie between the two teams – particularly as Union have fared so well on the road in recent times. The last two away fixtures in the Bundesliga at Eintracht Frankfurt (2-1) and Werder Bremen (2-0) were both won by the by Urs Fischer’s team – as was the DFB Cup Round of 16 tie at Regional League side SC Verl (1-0) that saw Union progress to the quarter-final encounter in Leverkusen.
The club from the capital are enjoying their best season in the DFB Cup since the legendary campaign in 2000/01 when the Berliners sensationally progressed to the final only to lose 2-0 to Schalke 04. Union started their current cup run with a 6-0 victory at Germania Halberstadt and a 3-1 win against league rivals SC Freiburg.
Even though the two goals conceded by Bayer 04 in the league match came from open play: The Werkself will have to be wary of set pieces from the Berliners. In Marvin Friedrich, Neven Subotic, Sebastian Polter and, in particular, Sebastian Andersson, Union have several outstanding headers of the ball and in the Bundesliga they have won the most aerial challenges by a distance: Unions players have come out on top in 763 of those challenges and Freiburg have the second highest number with over 200 less. In addition, Union have an outstanding set-piece specialist in Christopher Trimmel. The captain set up both goals from free kicks in Sunday’s 2-2 draw against VfL Wolfsburg.
But set plays are not the only danger given the exploits of one proven cup specialist: Midfielder Robert Andrich needed 23 games to score his first goal in the Bundesliga and yet has found the back of the net in the last three Union Berlin cup games. He scored the fifth goal at Halberstadt, the crucial second goal for his team at Freiburg and the winner in the 1-0 win at Verl. Andrich scored all three goals late on. So Bayer 04 should keep an eye out for the 25-year-old particularly at the end of the cup tie.
Talking about late on: In recent weeks, Union have again and again had problems in the final stages of games with four of the last six goals conceded after the 75th minute. The Berliners have led in the last three Bundesliga fixtures but only ended up winning once – and that was put at risk in Frankfurt with an own goal in the last quarter of an hour. Union conceded two goals in the last ten minutes against the Werkself and, in Sunday’s game against Wolfsburg, the Wolves equalised on 81 minutes to cancel out a 2-0 lead.
Tenth place after 24 games, a nine-point lead over the play-off spot and a place in the cup quarter-finals – the performance of the Berliners in their first season in the top-flight is more than remarkable. It certainly looks like Union should be able to establish a place in Germany's first division in the coming seasons. The club has certainly made a name for themselves over the years.
In spite of the recently discovered strength away from home, Union Berlin are the underdogs at Leverkusen. However, if the team led by Urs Fischer can repeat the performance in the Bundesliga game against the Werkself then that could make the quarter-final a tough proposition for Bayer 04.
Werkself-TV shows the highlights of Bayer 04 Women's 0-2 loss at 1. FC Nürnberg on Matchday 8 of the 2026/27 Google Pixel Women's Bundesliga.
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After nine points from their first three away matches of the 2026/27 season, the Bayer 04 Women suffered their first away defeat on Sunday afternoon. The 2-0 defeat away to FC Nürnberg, who were winless before today, represented a setback for coach Roberto Pätzold’s team in the race for the top spots in the Google Pixel Women’s Bundesliga. Fany Pronietz scored both goals (62’, 85’) for the home side.
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The Werkself still have a score to settle with TSG Hoffenheim: Bayer 04 lost both matches against the Kraichgau side last term – after the Black and Reds had won all the previous five encounters. Leverkusen are currently on a roll and looking to kick off a new winning streak against TSG in Sinsheim on Sunday 25 October (kick-off: 15:30 CET), and Patrik Schick is keen to continue his current run of form. However, it will not be easy, as coach Christian Ilzer’s team have also gained confidence recently. Today’s matchday news.
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A look at the Google Pixel Women's Bundesliga table ahead of the Werkself's clash at 1. FC Nürnberg leaves little discussion: Bayer 04 Women go into Sunday's meeting at the Max-Morlock-Stadion (16:00 CEST) as clear favourites. Coach Roberto Pätzold explains what's needed for the fourth-placed team against the second-from-bottom in order to make it four wins from four away matches this season.
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Bayer 04 march on! On the Greek holiday island of Crete, the Werkself made it three wins from three games in the 2026/27 UEFA Europa League league phase against Greek Cup winners OFI Crete. Carles Martínez's side put on an attacking display with a total of 33 attempts, while one player in particular stood out with a brace. At the same time, they kept another clean sheet in Europe. All the reaction and analysis of the 2-0 victory in the Werkself Review.
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