Reuter Scores Against Her Former Club: Viktoria Wins 2-0 in Jena

On Matchday 10 of the Women’s 2nd Bundesliga, FC Viktoria Berlin defeated FC Carl Zeiss Jena 2-0 (1-0) and remains at the top of the standings with 27 points. The goals were scored by Aneta Polášková (40th minute) and Melina Reuter (57th minute)—Reuter, of all people, who had transferred from Jena to Berlin over the summer. It is the eighth consecutive league victory for coach Miren Ćatović’s team.

Reunion at the Ernst-Abbe-Sportfeld

The sky was cloudy over Jena at the start, even though rain had been forecast: As the game progressed, it cleared up more and more. 475 spectators at the Ernst-Abbe-Sportfeld watched as Viktoria, dressed in turquoise, took on the hosts in their yellow-and-dark-blue plaid uniforms. Jena entered the match in sixth place in the standings with 13 points and a 2-2 draw from Meppen under their belt. The game was streamed live on Leagues.

For some on Viktoria’s side, it was a reunion. Melina Reuter and Toma Ihlenburg, who had moved from Jena to Berlin over the summer, were both in the starting lineup. It was also a reunion with her former club for sporting director Isabelle Knipp, who had “brought along” both players from there. The last competitive match against Jena was the DFB Cup round of 16 in November 2023 in Lichterfelde, which Viktoria lost 1–3.

Polášková gives Viktoria the lead before halftime

The first half was uneventful at first: Jena earned its first corner in the 18th minute and had its first shot on goal in the 33rd minute; Viktoria responded with a shot of its own in the 37th minute. Then, in the 40th minute, it finally happened: Aneta Polášková scored to make it 1–0 for Viktoria! Shortly before halftime, a Jena player was shown a yellow card (44th minute), and after three minutes of stoppage time, the teams headed into the locker rooms with Viktoria holding a narrow lead.

After the break, it took only eleven minutes for the game to be decided: In the 57th minute, Melina Reuter scored to make it 2–0—against her former club. Coach Ćatović then made a substitution, bringing on Sarah Stöckmann for Antonia Halverkamps. Jena responded in the 64th and 65th minutes with Elira Terakaj and Anna Olmala, the two goal-scorers from the 2–2 draw in Meppen. In the 72nd minute, Vanessa Fürst replaced Katharina Krist, and in the 81st minute, Trinity Künzel and Maya Hahn came on for Nina Ehegötz and Leyila Aydin.

Viktoria secures the victory under a blue sky

In the closing stages, Jena still managed to create some chances: Terakaj took a shot on goal in the 87th minute, and in the four minutes of stoppage time, the hosts had another shot on goal and a corner kick in the 94th minute. However, the Viktoria defense, led by Melanie Wagner, didn’t let anything get past them. After 95 minutes, the victory was secured, and the team celebrated under a blue sky.

With 27 points and a goal differential of 17–5, Viktoria remains at the top of the standings. SGS Essen (29–8 goals) and Hertha BSC (19–12) follow with 23 points each. Jena slips to 7th place with 13 points.

Preview: Berlin Derby against Hertha BSC—come on by!

Next up for us is the Berlin derby against Hertha BSC—currently third in the standings with 23 points—on Sunday, November 8, at 2 p.m. at Lichterfelde Stadium. You won’t want to miss this showdown with our city rivals. Tickets are available at tickets.fcviktoria.com. So, everyone, let's go to Lichterfelde!

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Goals:

1:0 Aneta Polášková (40')

2:0 Melina Reuter (57')

Starting XI:

Wagner, Ihlenburg, Reuter, Grincenco, Krist (72' Fürst), Halverkamps (57' Stöckmann), Höfker, Polášková, Ehegötz (81' Künzel), Aydin (81' Hahn), Casanovas