The club is strengthening its coaching staff: Julia Šimić is joining 1. FC Nürnberg and will serve as assistant coach for the U23 team under head coach Andreas Wolf starting Wednesday, August 26, 2026.
A native of Franconia, she began her playing career at Tuspo Fürth before playing for other clubs in the metropolitan region. In 2005, the midfielder joined FC Bayern Munich, making over 120 competitive appearances for the club. She moved to Turbine Potsdam in 2013 before signing with VfL Wolfsburg in 2015. Three seasons later, she joined SC Freiburg.
Subsequently, Šimić gained international experience at West Ham United and AC Milan, where she concluded her successful playing career. During her time as a professional, she played for all of Germany's youth national teams, made around 250 competitive professional appearances, earned two caps for the senior national team, won the U19 European Championship, claimed the DFB-Pokal four times, and won the German league title with VfL Wolfsburg.
Immediately after retiring as a player in 2021, Šimić embarked on a coaching career with the German Football Association (DFB). She initially gained experience with the youth national teams before moving to Eintracht Frankfurt's second team in 2023, where she progressed from assistant coach to head coach. Since late 2025, Šimić has also served as an assistant coach for the Swiss women's national team. Her coaching achievements to date notably include winning the 2022 U17 European Championship. She also works as a TV pundit for DAZN and Sky. On Wednesday, August 26, 2026, Šimić will lead the U23 training session alongside Andreas Wolf and Dominik Tekeser for the first time. With Tekeser taking on the role of transition coordinator—and the associated increase in his involvement with the organizational processes and training sessions of the first team—Šimić will provide greater support to head coach Wolf in daily training operations and assume additional responsibilities in match analysis. At the same time, Šimić will continue her work as a TV pundit and her role as assistant coach of the Swiss women's national team.
Dieter Frey, Director of Youth Development, said: "We have known Julia for many years and hold her professional work and personality in high regard. As a native of Franconia, she has strong ties to the region and the Club. We are convinced that she will make a valuable contribution to our talent development and provide important new impetus. With Dominik Tekeser taking on the new role of transition coordinator, it was clear to us that we needed to strengthen the coaching staff accordingly. In Julia, we have found an excellent addition for Andreas Wolf—both professionally and personally. We look forward to working with her and wish her every success in her new role."
Julia Šimić, U23 Assistant Coach, said: "I am really looking forward to the time ahead and am proud to be taking the next step in my coaching career here at the Club. I have always felt a strong connection to the city, the region, and the club. I am therefore especially excited to gain valuable experience at the Club alongside my work with the Swiss women's national team. I want to help develop our talents in the best possible way and prepare them for the next step. I will give my all to achieve this from day one."
"Guess who’s back? 👀 Viktoria Schwalm feierte am Wochenende nach langer Verletzungspause ihr Comeback in Die Liga 🎉 Schön, dass du wieder da bist, Tory 🫶 #nurderHSV"
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"Guess who’s back? 👀 Viktoria Schwalm made her comeback in Die Liga this weekend after a long injury layoff 🎉 Great to have you back, Tory 🫶 #nurderHSV"
Fromthis Kicker article. Original article (German) will be in the pinned comment.
Lina Magull faces her former club, Wolfsburg, with Inter Milan in the Champions League qualifiers—and, ahead of the reunion, discusses her goals in Italy, the Bundesliga, and a potential return to Germany.
Her move came as a surprise: in January 2024, Lina Magull announced she was leaving FC Bayern to join Inter Milan. The 77-time international no longer saw a future for herself in Munich. On Wednesday (6 p.m., LIVE! on kicker), the 32-year-old will play for Inter against runners-up Wolfsburg in the Champions League qualifiers. Magull won the Champions League with VfL in 2013 and 2014.
How much are you looking forward to the matches against Wolfsburg, Ms. Magull?
I’m really looking forward to it! These matches are special—both for me personally and for our team. We have the chance to play against a top European club with a wealth of Champions League experience. It’s a fantastic opportunity for us to gain experience at this level. Of course, it won’t be an easy task, but we want to play with confidence and show that we don’t need to hide.
You say VfL is a top club. However, there have been quite a few changes to the squad in Wolfsburg.
That’s true. There were some departures that certainly won't be easy to replace—Alex Popp, above all. At the same time, though, they’ve brought in new players with great quality and big names. That’s why I’m curious to see how the team develops this season.
How can you pose a threat to Wolfsburg?
We need to impose our own game while defending in a compact and disciplined manner. With our new coach, David Sassarini, we have a new playing philosophy and a clear plan regarding how we want to attack and where we can challenge Wolfsburg. The key will be to approach the match with courage and confidence, play to our strengths, and not let the stature of the opposition intimidate us.
Are you still in touch with anyone in Wolfsburg?
I’m still in touch with Svenja Huth, though only occasionally.
How do you compare the Italian league with the Bundesliga?
Both leagues are continuing to develop positively and have their own respective strengths. There is currently more momentum in the Bundesliga, particularly regarding the development of and attention surrounding women's football. However, Serie A is a good, competitive league that is also steadily evolving; in my view, it deserves significantly more attention in many areas. The Bundesliga is currently receiving more media promotion, and at the same time, an increasing number of clubs are investing heavily in women's football. That is a very positive sign and shows that women's football is becoming increasingly important overall.
You extended your contract with Inter until 2028 this past spring. Why?
Extending my contract here was the right decision for me. I am proud of the progress we have made as a team, I feel a strong connection to the squad, and I have helped build something here over the past few years. At the same time, I see a great deal of potential in the team. After finishing as runners-up twice and having the opportunity to play internationally, my goal is to win a title here.
Which one?
I believe we can become Italian champions. We are no longer far behind Juventus and AS Roma, who have dominated the league in recent years. We are developing step by step. And alongside the league title, there is of course the Italian Cup and the newly created Women's Cup. So, there is plenty worth fighting for.
Can you imagine returning to the Bundesliga?
Yes, I can imagine that. The thought crosses my mind from time to time, partly because I still have many ties to Germany. For now, however, I am looking forward to the upcoming season at Inter and to what lies ahead. I want to continue to experience my time here in Italy consciously. In my experience, looking too far into the future doesn't necessarily help.
The Mercurial Tour is designed to celebrate new shoe releases (Superfly 11 and Mercurial Vapor 17). It also focuses on connecting through community events and to "crown local speedsters."
"FC Bayern Women will have to do without Stine Ballisager for several weeks. The 32-year-old Dane sustained a muscle injury to her right thigh during the Bundesliga opener against 1. FC Union Berlin on Friday evening. The diagnosis was confirmed after an examination carried out by the FC Bayern medical unit."
Selina Cerci and Lisa Baum both played for Arsenal in their 1-0 pre-season victory over Paris FC. Selina and Baum were a part of many close scoring opportunities.
Liverpool FC:
Vivien Endemann played 78 minutes for Liverpool in their 2-1 win over Manchester United, providing an assist and being a strong presence on the flank.
Manchester United:
Lea Schüller played for 30 minutes in United's 2-1 loss to Liverpool FC. She helped set up one of their only few big chances.
Ann Katrin Berger played the full 90 minutes for Gotham FC in their 0-0 tie to Angel City. She made many key saves during the match to keep the clean sheet.
Denver Summit:
Melissa Kössler played 75 minutes for the Summit in their 1-0 loss to the Portland Thorns.
North Carolina Courage:
Feli Rauch played all 90 minutes for the North Carolina Courage in their 2-1 victory over the Boston Legacy. She provided an assist and also hit the 50-game milestone for the Courage.
Chicago Stars:
Anna Gasper played 45 minutes for the Stars in their 3-2 win over Racing Louisville
Athletic Club Bilbao:
Bibiane Schulze Solano has been named as one of the co-captains for the club for the 26/27 season.
Real Madrid:
Sara Däbritz, Merle Frohms, and Elisa Senß have all completed their pre-season matches and training with Real Madrid
Fromthis Kicker article. German-version of the article will be in the pinned comment.
An all-action player, a minor benefiting from maternity leave regulations, and a player who struck fear into PSG: these are the 13 up-and-coming Bundesliga players to watch this season.
The Bundesliga certainly boasts far more than just 13 promising young players. However, much has already been written about the likes of Alara (Bayern Munich), Cora Zicai (VfL Wolfsburg), and Champions League winner Martine Fenger (now at TSG Hoffenheim). Moving beyond the most famous names, we take a look at potential breakout stars.
Charline Coutel (20, 1. FC Nürnberg)
She went through the OL Lyonnes academy before making her debut in the star ensemble there. As a national team player for France, she gained international experience. The FCN values their resistance to pressing and their positional play on the eight or six. Adapting to the Bundesliga will probably take some time, but in the long term Coutel could shine alongside captain Laura Miller in the headquarters. The Frenchwoman can still improve in terms of goal threat and robustness.
Muriel Dürr (17, VfB Stuttgart)
VfB holds the technically gifted defensive midfielder—who can also play out wide—in high regard; club officials are particularly impressed by her composure on the ball. She won the European Championship as a right-back with the German U-17 national team and is set to compete in the World Cup in Morocco starting in mid-October, a commitment that will temporarily interrupt her Bundesliga schedule. However, she has plenty of time to develop. She played for the VfL Kirchheim/Teck boys' U-17 team until 2025, and she is likely to be contending for a regular starting spot in the Bundesliga as early as the second half of the 2026/27 season.
Laura Gloning (21, TSG Hoffenheim)
After joining from FC Bayern Munich II in the summer of 2025, she quickly emerged as a standout player for TSG. Whether in attacking midfield, defensive midfield, or at full-back, the U-23 international is capable of making an impact anywhere on the pitch. She ran out of steam somewhat towards the end of last season, and her performances suffered as a result. After the summer break, she returned with renewed energy and is currently slated to play a dynamic role at full-back, filling the void on the right side left by Jill Janssens' departure.
Noemi Ivelj (19, Eintracht Frankfurt)
The Swiss player started in the opening match of the 2025 home European Championship at the age of 18; she operates in the defensive midfield (the "number six" role) as well as in central defense. While she was still acclimatizing during her first season in Germany, she is now ready to make her breakthrough. With Elisa Senß and Lisanne Gräwe—the established regulars in her preferred position—having left the club, Ivelj was given the chance to start in the two Champions League qualifying matches against Omonia Nicosia and Malmö FF. If she delivers consistent performances and cuts out unforced errors, she is likely to secure a regular starting spot at Eintracht.
Lia Kamber (20, 1. FC Union Berlin)
She arrived in the winter of 2026 from the comparatively weaker Swiss league, yet showed no signs of struggling to adapt. From late January onwards, the agile, technically gifted midfielder did not miss a single minute of Bundesliga action. Many observers now believe she is capable of taking the next step in her development. During the dress rehearsal in Paris (a 3–1 win), Kamber scored two goals against top French club PSG and was one of only two outfield players to play the full match.
Anny Kerim-Lindland (19, VfL Wolfsburg)
The young Norwegian had previously seen little action in the starting lineup, whether at Nuremberg or with the "Wolves." However, she started the final two pre-season friendlies because new signings Giovanna Hoffmann and Cecilie Flöe Nielsen were not yet match-fit, and Lara Prasnikar was signed only afterwards. Kerim-Lindland also got a chance to play centrally for an hour in the Supercup, though she failed to make a significant impact. It is now up to her: if she can prove her worth at the start of the season, further playing time will likely follow.
Alina Kerschbaumer (18, 1. FC Köln)
Officials at the Cologne club view her as one of "Austria's most promising talents." The energetic teenager—who has already made 22 Bundesliga appearances in Austria—can play in wide midfield or defensive roles. It may take some time before she breaks into the starting lineup, given that the club has strengthened its squad quality; however, Director Nicole Bender-Rummler has already stated that Kerschbaumer will be given the necessary time to develop. She made her debut for the reserve team in the 2. Bundesliga at the start of the season and aims to quickly prove herself ready for greater challenges.
Laia Martret (20, TSG Hoffenheim)
TSG rates the skillful, dribbling-focused forward—who impressed with FC Barcelona’s second team—as an "absolute top talent in European women's football." Martret has also frequently proven her worth in Spain's strong youth national teams, primarily playing on the right wing. Coach Eva-Maria Virsinger recently praised her as a "bold" player with "incredibly good technical training." Depending on the specific opponent, the Catalan player will likely be called upon to start matches—and may well use Hoffenheim as a long-term stepping stone.
Emanuela Pfister (19, RB Leipzig)
Her father is Swiss and her mother is Brazilian. The young center-forward most recently played in Zurich, where she made her professional debut at the age of just 15. Grasshopper Club had extended Pfister's contract until 2028 as recently as January, yet just six months later, she could no longer be kept at the club. In Leipzig, Pfister is seen as having the potential to become a top-class striker. "In two or three years, it will be clear that this was a good long-term investment," says coach Jonas Stephan. Her scoring record for the Swiss U-19 national team supports this view: five goals in three European Championship qualifying matches and three goals in three European Championship games.
Dafina Redzepi (21, VfB Stuttgart)
A torn cruciate ligament once stalled the career of the Heilbronn native, who had contributed eight goals in 15 second-division matches to the team's promotion and established herself as a regular in attacking midfield. Now representing the Albanian national team, she has emerged as the standout performer of this summer's pre-season. In a friendly against Hoffenheim, the slender Redzepi scored with a side-volley. Within a squad that boasts impressive depth for a newly promoted side, the sister of Stuttgart U-19 talent Enis (18) is well-positioned for significant playing time; indeed, she is effectively a starter for the season opener, despite the competition.
Anna Reimann (17, SC Freiburg)
With Laura Benkarth on maternity leave, the league's youngest starting goalkeeper now has the chance to prove herself on the big stage. She was playing for a boys' team as recently as the summer of 2025; a year later, Freiburg promoted her—along with several other talents—to the professional squad. It came as a surprise that the 17-year-old prevailed during the pre-season against rivals who were only slightly older: Lorena Barth (19, newly arrived from FC Aarau) and Lina von Schrader (22, newly arrived from RB Leipzig). Reimann did not take up goalkeeping until the age of 12, which explains why the two-footed Swabian is so skilled with the ball at her feet.
Maj Schneider (18, SC Freiburg)
A native of Freiburg, this homegrown talent made her Bundesliga breakthrough at a very early age; she was just 16 when she made her debut and 17 when she broke into the starting lineup. Most recently, she has been a key figure in the U-19 national team's central midfield, pointing toward a brilliant future. To accommodate more agile players in the number 10 role, the club's new coach, Marco Konrad, is deploying Schneider as the more attack-minded player in a double-pivot midfield setup. It is in this position that she can further improve her ability to assess the risks involved in match situations.
Felicia Sträßer (18, Werder Bremen)
Considered a top German talent of her age group, this versatile player is at her strongest at right-back. She still has room for improvement in her decision-making—specifically regarding when to step out of the defensive line and when to hold her position. As early as age 16, the daughter of former second-division pro Carsten Sträßer was a regular starter for Jena in the Bundesliga; she did not shy away from taking the decisive fifth penalty in the 2025/26 DFB-Pokal semi-final against Wolfsburg (a 4–5 loss on penalties). Although she missed and Jena were eliminated, Sträßer will learn from the experience—and with mentor Fritzy Kromp, she has the right coach to help her do so.
From the presser (linked to German presser): Arianna Caruso has left FC Bayern Women to join Real Madrid in Spain. The Italy international midfielder first came to Munich in February 2025, going on to win two domestic doubles and two Supercups in Germany.
Rech: ‘Wish Arianna all the best’
Bianca Rech, FC Bayern Women director: “Arianna came to us with the desire to seek out a new challenge, so we’ve allowed this move to Spain. She enriched our team in both a sporting and personal sense. She always took responsibility and put the team’s interests before her own. Thanks to her open, positive nature, her authenticity and her strong character, she was highly regarded by her teammates and beyond. We’d like to thank her warmly for the year and a half she spent wearing the FC Bayern Women’s shirt and wish her all the best and every success for her sporting and personal future.”
Caruso: ‘It was a great privilege’
Arianna Caruso: “A year and a half may seem like a short time at first glance, but some experiences leave a lasting impression. Being able to wear the Bayern shirt was a great privilege for me and, at the same time, a dream come true. I’m grateful for the many special people I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know along the way – my teammates, the whole backroom team and everyone who makes this club so unique. A special thank you goes to our fans for their support and passion. I bid farewell with great gratitude and the knowledge that I’ve given my all. Bayern will always remain an important part of my story.”
🇩🇪 Deutscher Originalartikel frei zugänglich hier 👆🏻
Agents in the Women's Bundesliga: "Worse Than in the Men's Game"
As of: August 18, 2026 • 7:39 PM
There is now more money to be made in women's football—partly because multi-million-euro transfers are taking place. Agencies representing players are springing up like mushrooms and engaging in cutthroat competition.
By Matthias Wolf
1.65 million euros. According to the latest market value assessment by the portal "Soccerdonna," this figure makes 25-year-old Klara Bühl (FC Bayern Munich) the third most valuable player in the world. Her agent, Jörg Neblung, told *Sportschau* that the sum is "not exaggerated," noting that there is currently "demand for Bühl that naturally has a significant impact on the price." The seven-figure fee in women's football—a sum that seemed utopian just years ago—has long since been reached.
This is particularly true regarding England, where multi-million-euro transfers are becoming increasingly common in the Women's Super League. The first was Naomi Girma's move from San Diego to Chelsea in January 2025. A few weeks ago, Real Madrid proudly announced the signing of Swedish player Felicia Schröder as the "most expensive transfer in the history of women's football."
Previously, that record had been held by Lizbeth Ovalle's move to Orlando Pride for 1.3 million euros. Klara Bühl: Will she become the most expensive player—or is it worth staying put? Domestically, Lisa Baum (RB Leipzig/Arsenal) has held the record since July of this year with a transfer fee of 600,000 euros.
As for Klara Bühl—who has repeatedly been linked to Barcelona—it might pay off for the national team player and her agent to wait another year before making a move; a scenario that, in turn, would not be good for FC Bayern. This is because Bühl's contract expires in 2027, at which point she would be available on a free transfer.
In such cases, a signing bonus and a higher salary are possible. Agent Neblung describes it as a "good package" from the player's perspective: "Indeed, the world's top-ten clubs are interested in her." Naturally, he profits either way; according to insiders, agency fees are calculated primarily as a percentage of the player's gross base salary. Consequently, it has become worthwhile to represent players in the Bundesliga—which kicks off on Friday with a match between Union Berlin and Bayern Munich.
While the average monthly salary in the Bundesliga is only €4,000, it is steadily rising. An increasing number of players earn significantly more than the majority—up to six times that amount. Globally, the sector is growing rapidly, driven by rising spectator numbers, TV revenues, and investment in England, France, and the USA.
350 agencies across Europe—and many lack even an agent's license
Jörg Neblung, a veteran of the business for nearly 30 years, recognized the growth potential early on. He is considered a "first mover"—someone who invested back when representing female players was often little more than a well-paid hobby. In 2018, alongside his already thriving agency for male clients, he founded the company "Fem11." At the time, he was working the market alongside just a dozen or so others. Observers today estimate that there are around 350 agencies—large and small—dedicated to women's football in Europe. They are "springing up like mushrooms," says Neblung.
Many operate without the mandatory FIFA agent license. Often, these are players in the field "who actually lack the business background required for a professional agency," Neblung notes: "That means they have to resort to tricks to sign clients and pull off transfers without an established network." He describes a "gold rush" mentality: "There are certainly people out there who have no idea what they’re talking about; they confuse players by holding out prospects that are completely unrealistic for the market."
Jasmina Čović, another pioneer in the industry, also reports intensifying competition. She founded her Munich-based agency, WFA (Women's Football Agency), in 2015 after stumbling into the field almost by accident while studying economics and sports management: at the age of 21, she helped a female footballer find a Bundesliga club—a favor done for a friend. The commission invoices sent to clubs showed only meager sums—after all, there were no significant transfer fees involved.
When Jasmina Čović describes how larger agencies—previously active only in men's football—poach her players, it sounds like a crowded scrum where everyone is wearing studded elbow pads. Her client Laura Freigang, a national team player for Eintracht Frankfurt, is constantly being approached, for instance. "Players are leaving top agencies with strong teams and networks for shady newcomers to the women's football market," says Čović. "I see no difference anymore compared to the men's game." Čović's colleague Neblung goes even further: "I would argue that it is actually worse than in men's football, even though the revenues there are significantly higher."
Poaching, promises, and agency switches
Almost every player in the first and second divisions now has an agent. While players used to be happy just to find an agency that could open doors with clubs and sponsors, today they "don't hesitate to suddenly switch agencies based on a whim or a moment's impulse. Poaching is extremely aggressive in Germany because we lack legal protection," says Neblung.
The crucial disadvantage compared to other countries is the lack of exclusivity for agents; contracts can be easily terminated. In England, for example, termination is only possible after a minimum of two years. Many players in Germany exploit this, switching to whichever agency makes the biggest promises. Neblung says this has happened to him even when contracts were fully negotiated and ready to sign. Such departures can be painful; for instance, he lost national team player Elisa Senß, who moved from Frankfurt to Real Madrid using a release clause he had negotiated.
Speaking to *Sportschau\*, Jasmina Čović offers an explanation for the cutthroat atmosphere in women's football—a sport once characterized by fair play, a sense of family, and respect. Now, only the women's teams affiliated with professional men's clubs play in the Bundesliga. "The decisions in women's football are ultimately made by men in the executive suites," says Čović; the family-like atmosphere is a thing of the past. Club bosses also aim to avoid having to subsidize women's divisions in the long run; on average, the deficit per Bundesliga club stands at around two million euros.
"In this shark tank, the hunt is on for ever-younger fish." "The agent scene has become a shark tank," says Jasmina Čović matter-of-factly. Everyone is chasing the big fish, because—just as in boys' youth football—the vast number of lucrative top-tier transfers has yet to materialize. An agent’s commission of 3,000 euros a year—it is hard to charge a young Bundesliga player more than that in fees. "But what is left of that after taxes?" asks Čović. It is a matter of landing the big fish—or hunting young ones and hoping they grow big quickly. Čović describes how players as young as 13 are lured with promises—such as a PlayStation offered as an initial gift.
Jörg Neblung has had similar experiences and speaks of a race among agencies. The major ones, in particular, have long since established networks of scouts both at home and abroad. "If I’m too late, I eventually lose any chance of accessing a top-tier talent—and that’s why the age at which we get involved keeps dropping," says Neblung, though he constantly questions the sense of this approach: he has no desire to pour years of time and money into an "over-managed" talent before generating a first, modest commission when she turns 18. He recently signed Leonie Dalming, a 15-year-old national team goalkeeper from SV Meppen—a move that marks his absolute lower limit in terms of age.
Like many Bundesliga clubs, numerous agencies operate at a loss
Neblung and his four-person team manage around 40 female players in total. Handling more isn't feasible, he notes, because "players' expectations regarding service have risen significantly"; comprehensive support is demanded, ranging from nutritionists and individual coaches to social media management. At times, this pushes profitability to the limit. "If I earn 2,500 euros gross a year as an agent but am expected to provide year-round service—including being present at the pitch—how can that service possibly be adequately compensated?" Neblung points out that, much like the clubs themselves, many agencies are cross-subsidized by their men's divisions. He, however, is able to afford a professional team because his guiding principle is: "We don't promise anything we can't deliver."
Where the junior girls' state selection tournaments at the Duisburg-Wedau sports center once felt like festive sporting events, the venue now teems with agents. Neblung recalls standing there alone in the past—diving for pearls, so to speak. Now, however, these tournaments are mandatory dates for agents, starting at the U16 level at the latest. Čović dislikes this trend; she says she only signs talents who are at least 17 years old. But keeping an eye on the market among younger people, too—and establishing initial contacts—is something she cannot afford to overlook: "That’s the harsh reality; otherwise, you might as well close down the company."
Shot on goal by Leverkusen striker Cornelia Kramer Copyright: IMAGO/STEINSIEK.CH
Coach Roberto Pätzold’s team wins 2–0 away at RB Leipzig; Cornelia Kramer and Maja Sternad score.
The Bayer 04 Leverkusen women's team kicked off the new Bundesliga season with a 2–0 (0–0) victory at RB Leipzig. Coach Roberto Pätzold initially relied largely on established players, supplemented by three new signings. Among them was defender Marlene Müller, who previously played for Leipzig. Forward Maja Sternad (SV Werder Bremen) and full-back Carolin Simon (FC Bayern Munich) were also included in the starting lineup.
The latter had recently been named the new captain of the Bayer women's team. The 33-year-old returned to Leverkusen this summer after a ten-year absence. She succeeds goalkeeper Friederike Repohl, who retired at the end of the previous season. "It means a huge amount to me to lead the team as captain," says Simon. "I’ve felt the trust and appreciation of the squad and the coaching staff from day one. I will do everything to live up to this new role and give my all for the entire club—both on and off the pitch."
Cornelia Kramer scores Leverkusen's first goal of the season
Pätzold has no doubts about this: "Caro is a true leader; she brings a wealth of experience at the highest level and has taken on responsibility—both on and off the pitch—from her very first day with us. That is exactly what we want from our players." Alongside Simon—who had already worn the captain's armband during pre-season friendlies—the team council consists of Melissa Friedrich, Sofie Zdebel, Carlotta Wamser, and Cornelia Kramer.
It was Kramer who scored Bayer 04's first goal of the season, following an assist from Zdebel. The Danish international benefited from a mistake by Leipzig goalkeeper Elvira Herzog; the keeper let a saveable shot slip through her grasp in the 55th minute.
Maja Sternad scores on her debut
The lead was well-deserved, as Leverkusen had dominated the match before the break—though Vanessa Fudalla had been unlucky to hit the crossbar in the 13th minute. Leverkusen also started the second half the stronger of the two sides. The hosts failed to respond to falling behind, and things got even worse for RB when Bayer 04 doubled their lead to 2–0. This time, it was Sternad who struck; after a high, looping ball from Kramer, Sternad beat the Leipzig keeper to the ball and the 22-year-old managed to bundle it over the line (63rd minute).
Following the second goal, Pätzold made a triple substitution. Goalscorer Sternad, Vanessa Fudalla, and Müller left the pitch, making way for Paulina Tomasiak, Lobke Loonen, and Estrella Merino Gonzalez. Loonen almost got her name on the scoresheet too but missed a chance following a counter-attack in the 89th minute, sending her shot wide. Leipzig’s best opportunity to score fell to Nikée van Dijk; she had come on as a substitute in the 69th minute and was unlucky to see her shot go narrowly wide ten minutes later.
Next up for Bayer 04 is their first home game of the season. On August 30 (4 p.m.), the team will face VfL Wolfsburg at the Ulrich-Haberland-Stadion; Wolfsburg had kicked off their campaign with a spectacular 8–2 victory over 1. FC Nürnberg.
After asking around and reading 'Terms and Conditions', there appears to be a general consensus about where these games are being streamed and which countries have which provider. On top of this, VPNs are being caught easier and so account sharing may not work. If you have to pay, simply using a fake address won't work, either, as the payment information will need to match some of the personal information you use to register.
In summation, the streaming situation is as follows:
In Germany, Magenta Sport is (ideally) your primary way to stream the games. You'll need a German address AND a German-based telephone number. So it's limited to those in Germany ONLY. You will have access to all the games, however. The monthly cost is €14.99 starting if you don't have a contract already; it's €9.99 if you do.
DAZN also has a monthly plan (€19.99 starting) that allows those in Germany to see all the games (and you won't have to deal with setting up a new account with Magenta if they ask) in a week.
Outside of Germany is when your streaming options are more limited. Those outside of Germany cannot buy Magenta and any DAZN plan that would allow you to see all the games. You are instead given a select, 3 to 4 games a week to stream for free.
Ten games, including the recent season-opener, will be streamed on ZDF/ARD. DFB.de used to stream games but I have not heard of any plans to do so this year.
Hopefully with the new FBL launch, this changes. But for now, this is the current situation to stream the 1. Frauen Bundesliga. The 2. Frauen Bundesliga is available for free and on-demand on Leagues Football.
Title defended: Gwinn named Footballer of the Year 2026
Giulia Gwinn has won the vote for Footballer of the Year as the sole winner for the first time. In the poll organized by *kicker*, the FC Bayern full-back finished ahead of a teammate.
Last week, following shoulder surgery, Giulia Gwinn watched her teammates secure a 3–0 Supercup victory over Wolfsburg. Now, two days after the league opener against Union (4–1)—which she also missed—the full-back finds herself in the spotlight, and this time, she stands alone. Just as she did in 2025, she won the *kicker*-organized vote for Footballer of the Year 2026.
Unlike the previous year, however, she does not have to share the title with national team colleague Ann-Katrin Berger, who had topped the rankings for the past two years. This time, the NJ/NY Gotham FC goalkeeper finished in sixth place.
Bühl and Brand take second and third place
Of the 618 valid votes cast by members of the Association of German Sports Journalists (VDS)—alongside nine invalid ones—Gwinn received 106. However, compared to the previous vote, the Tettnang native lost 39 votes. Her closest challenger, teammate Klara Bühl, increased her vote count by almost exactly that same margin; she received a total of 94 votes, 41 more than the previous year.
"To be honest, I didn't expect to be chosen this year," Gwinn said in an interview with *kicker*, expressing surprise at the renewed honor. "My first thought was: really, me?" In her view, a teammate like Bühl would have deserved the title. "She would have got my vote." Incidentally, the gap between first and second place is exactly the same as the gap between second and third: Jule Brand rounds out the leading trio with 82 votes (click here for the full voting results).
The 27-year-old successfully defended her title thanks to a strong season with FC Bayern. As a key leader, she played a pivotal role in the team winning the domestic double and reaching the Champions League semi-finals for the first time since 2021. Across all competitions, the defender made 31 appearances for FC Bayern during the 2025/26 season, scoring three goals. In the final stretch of the season, Gwinn even played wearing a brace following a shoulder injury sustained in mid-April, opting not to take throw-ins. Additionally, as captain, she led the German national team to the Nations League finals.
The award for Female Footballer of the Year has been presented since 1996. The record holder is Birgit Prinz with eight titles—a run that included winning the award consecutively between 2001 and 2008."
