Bundesliga

FC Augsburg – Union Berlin 1: 0: Dampener for Union

Published

1 month ago

May 6, 2023

Union Berlin has to cope with a setback in the fight for the Champions League. At FC Augsburg, the Irons lose 0: 1 (0: 0).

While FC Augsburg frenetically celebrated the end of their long dry spell, the pros from Union Berlin ran disappointed and with hanging heads in their fan corner. The 0: 1 (0: 0) at the feared opponent was for the Iron, now fourth in the table, a sensitive setback in the exciting Champions League race.

But Union still has the big dream in mind: As early as next Saturday, the Berliners can set an example in a top duel against direct competitor SC Freiburg.

“We want to do everything we can to win there,” said Union professional Kevin Behrens skywho thanked the fans for their great support: “It’s amazing that we have so much support.”

The Augsburgers are already looking ahead to the next game at VfL Bochum. “We’re not through yet, we have to do more. Our full focus is on Bochum,” said manager Stefan Reuter sky-Mic, “The lads did an excellent job, defended well. They kept a clean sheet, that was the goal.” For FCA, after seven games without a win in the relegation battle, it was the hoped-for and much-needed liberation.

Augsburg – Union: Patzer von Rönnow has no consequences

Dion Beljo gave Augsburg the lead in the 53rd minute with his third goal of the season. Union continued their negative series (only one win so far) in their twelfth competitive game against Augsburg, but with three games to go they still have everything in their own hands to fulfill their big dream of the premier class.

Union coach Urs Fischer wanted to provide an impulse with a short training camp at Tegernsee before the game and invoke “the team spirit”. But at first the Iron Ones had a hard time. FCA started confidently despite the precarious situation in the table. In any case, coach Enrico Maassen had warned of calm before kick-off. You don’t need “a bad mood. We have everything in our own hands,” he said.

However, the Berliners were able to quickly free themselves from the initial pressure from Augsburg. A game developed with many duels and good chances for Union, who increasingly took the initiative: Twice Behrens (16th/22nd) was dangerous with headers. In addition, Sheraldo Becker (27th) and Janik Haberer (28th) failed because of Tomas Koubek.

FCA, on the other hand, remained largely harmless, but still had a huge opportunity to take the lead just before the break. But Beljo only hit the side netting after a serious mistake by Union keeper Frederik Rönnow.

He did better after the change. After a cross from Ruben Vargas, Beljo was there, but also benefited from significant gaps in the Union defence. Union was shocked. Despite all the efforts, there were no ideas, and FCA was also in good shape. In general, the Augsburgers were now braver and had some good shooting opportunities.

FC Augsburg – Union Berlin: The voices

Enrico Maassen (FC Augsburg coach): “I’m very happy and proud of my team. It’s very good that we got three points again after seven games. We were lucky in a tight game. The win wasn’t undeserved and it’s very important. We’ve got a good one now Starting position and now we have to improve against Bochum.”

Urs Fischer (Coach Union Berlin): “It was an unnecessary and annoying defeat. It’s annoying. Our team played a great game in the first half and had enough chances. Then you don’t pay attention. You could feel that too, it made the team feel insecure. In the last 15, 20 minutes we put the pressure on again.”

FC Augsburg – Union Berlin: The lineups

Augsburg: Koubek – Bauer, Gouweleeuw, Uduokhai – Arne Maier (78 Yeboah), Engels (85 Dorsch), Rexhbecaj, Pedersen – Vargas (79 Gumny), Demirovic (90+2 Veiga) – Beljo (85 Berisha). – Coach: Maassen

Union: Rönnow – Jaeckel (78th Michel), Knoche, Doekhi – Juranovic, Khedira, Roussillon (78th Trimmel) – Laidouni (69th Schäfer), Haberer (69th Leweling) – Behrens (69th Jordan), Becker. – Coach: Fisherman