Former West Ham defender Tysiak set for Bundesliga debut as Union Berlin's ambition takes shape

Just one week after leaving West Ham United, Belgian international Amber Tysiak could make her Bundesliga debut tonight at the Alte Försterei. The 25-year-old centre-back joined Union Berlin for a reported £150,000 — the latest statement of intent from a club that turned professional just two years ago and is now competing in Germany's top flight.

From professionalisation to Bundesliga: Union's two-year rise

Union Berlin's women's team went professional in 2023. Two years later, they were crowned 2. Bundesliga champions and earned their first-ever promotion to the top flight.

What makes this club unique goes beyond their rapid rise. They are currently the only Frauen-Bundesliga team to share their stadium with their men's side. Last season, they set a second-tier attendance record when 20,132 fans packed the Alte Försterei to watch them clinch the title.

Tysiak's arrival continues that ambition. The Belgian international made 58 appearances for West Ham and was part of Belgium's Euro 2025 squad. "Union have made enormous progress in women's football," she said upon signing. "It quickly became clear I wanted to be part of this development."

Form guide: momentum vs slump

The two sides enter this fixture in contrasting form.

Union Berlin ended 2025 on an upward curve — a 2-2 draw with Frankfurt followed by a 2-1 win at Nürnberg. With 15 points from 14 games, ninth place is a solid return for a promoted side. Head coach Ailien Poese has focused on attacking play during the winter break: "We want to be defensively solid while playing with courage and attacking intent."

Bayer Leverkusen have struggled. After nine matchdays they sat third with 19 points; since then, they've taken just three, losing five of their last six. Head coach Roberto Pätzold, whose side beat Swiss leaders Servette 3-0 in a winter friendly, stressed the need to "convert possession into goals while becoming less predictable."

The reverse fixture

September's first meeting was a thriller. Union found themselves 2-0 down inside six minutes at Leverkusen, but Dina Orschmann and Tomke Schneider each pulled one back to level at 2-2. They ultimately lost 3-2, but proved their resilience. "That match pushed us to the end, it should serve as a warning," Pätzold admitted. "Union are physical, run-intensive, and have individual quality."

Team news

Union Berlin have six players confirmed out: Steinert, Aehling, Janež, Noack, Reissner, and Schneider. Whether Tysiak slots straight into the defence is tonight's biggest question. The attacking burden falls on captain Lisa Heiseler, who won the 2. Bundesliga Golden Boot last season with 22 goals and remains the attacking focal point, and Dina Orschmann, who scored in the reverse fixture.

Bayer Leverkusen rely heavily on Vanessa Fudalla, eight goals in 13 games, fifth in the scoring charts. But they're without Vanessa Haim (muscle-tendon injury), goalkeeper Charlotte Voll (acromioclavicular joint injury), and Chinese international Shen Menglu, who is recovering from an ACL tear sustained after joining from Celtic last summer. Illness has also affected the squad; the final lineup remains uncertain.

Key talking points

• Tysiak's debut? Can the former West Ham defender make an immediate impact?

• Fortress Alte Försterei: Can Union's home advantage ignite their second half of the season?

• Ending the slump: Leverkusen have lost five of six — can they turn it around on the road?