How do we celebrate now? Union’s perplexed Grischa Prömel
Photo: AFP / Nietfeld / Pool
In Köpenick you are used to other things. So Christopher Trimmel made a promise: “We will catch up on the celebrations,” said the captain of 1. FC Union Berlin late Tuesday evening. With the 1-0 win against SC Paderborn, the Berliners had previously made the relegation two games before the end of the Bundesliga season, also mathematically perfect. Apart from isolated chants from the forest, a couple of rockets popping and a small cheering crowd in front of the stadium, the old forester’s house remained quiet.
The strange atmosphere of ghost games has been known for a few weeks. But what if there is something to celebrate? For example, a “sensation” as Union coach Urs Fischer calls the relegation team’s relegation battle won. Most of midfielder Robert Andrich felt the same way: “Nobody knows what is right.” He missed the “feeling of happiness from outside”. After the final whistle, players, coaches and supervisors were in the middle circle and had put on T-shirts. “Enough. At last. Class kept, ‘it said. But after the first hugs nobody knew what to do with themselves.
It was an unreal atmosphere for the winners. The depressed mood suited the loser. After their 20th defeat of the season, the Paderborn team are the first relegated players. Trainer Steffen Baumgart was of course “disappointed”, but at the same time “proud”. Even if it was “not sufficient for the first division” in the end, he often saw his team “at eye level” with the opponents.
The same was true for the game against Union: it was Paderborn’s twelfth defeat with only one goal difference. At the same time, the game symbolizes the season of the club. The guests worked on their opponents with a lot of effort, bravely attacked early and tried to get as fast as possible. The yield was once again too low. A shot at Mohamed Dräger’s external network was the most dangerous action in the first half. In the second 45 minutes, the Paderborners were a bit more compelling on the offensive. But a tackle by right-back Trimmel and a parade by Union goalkeeper Rafal Gikiewicz defused the best Paderborn chances.
Almost 15 months ago, things looked very different. In the fight for promotion, Paderborn had celebrated an important 3-1 win in the old forester. In the end, the SC went straight up to second place – a walk with coach Baumgart from third to first division. At that time, the tied Unioners had to take the detour via the relegation. Now both teams separate 18 points. Paderborn’s uncompromising offensive football reached its limits in the Bundesliga. The comparatively low financial possibilities of the club play a decisive role in this.
In addition to Paderborn, the 1st FC Union was a safe relegation candidate for most of the season. Midfielder Christian Gentner, captain Trimmel and managing director Oliver Ruhnert recalled this, as proud as they were delightful. The way the Berliners play under coach Fischer is more suitable for the first than for the second division: disciplined on the defensive, efficient in attack. With 38 goals so far, they have scored just four more than the Paderborn team, but in defense there are eight teams worse than Union. In addition, the Berliners form the strongest-running team in the league, and on Tuesday evening they reeled off 127 kilometers.
And then there is this particular strength: Union scored ten goals according to standard situations. And only five players have prepared more goals this season than Christopher Trimmel. On Tuesday evening, his free kick in the 27th minute sailed so well into the opponent’s box that Paderborn’s Ben Zolinski could only extend it into his own net. The captain secured relegation with his eleventh assist. Now all he has to do is keep his promise.
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