Auf to Barcelona or Manchester: 1. FC Union Berlin crowned its sensational season by making it into the Champions League. It is the biggest success in the club’s history so far, four years to the day after promotion to the Bundesliga. Rani Khedira’s goal (81st minute) redeemed Urs Fischer’s team on the 34th matchday on Saturday in front of 22,012 spectators in the sold-out An der Alten Försterei stadium in a 1-0 (0-0) win against Werder Bremen. SC Freiburg, Union’s last competitor for fourth place in the Champions League, lost 2-1 (1-0) at Eintracht Frankfurt after a temporary lead and was unable to overtake them.
For the third time in a row, Union qualifies for international business. That much was already clear before the game. So now it’s time for the first time in the premier class. A huge success for the club, which plays in one of the loudest but also the smallest stadiums in the league and is far from the top in terms of budget. In the first half of the season, the Köpenicker even led the table for several weeks. Only after two matchdays was the team not on a Champions League spot.
A key to success is home strength. Union have not lost in the league for 23 games in the Alte Försterei. “I have to let what we have achieved sink in first. It will be important that we remain true to ourselves, continue to show humility and modesty and not change too much. That will be the challenge,” said coach Urs Fischer. “It was the expected difficult game. What I’m really proud of is how calm the team has stayed. We deservedly won the game.”
The promoted team from Bremen had already secured their place in the league against 1. FC Köln last weekend and can plan at least another year in the Bundesliga. Coach Ole Werner said: “We defended it well for a long time. In the first half we didn’t put enough ball on the pitch. In the end we ran out a bit.”
Union Berlin with high intensity
Exactly four years after the decisive Bundesliga relegation game against Stuttgart, everything was ready for another red and white holiday. The pubs around the Alte Försterei were already full well over two hours before kick-off. Everything was ready for the big party on the square in front of the grandstand. The Berlin fans made it clear on a banner that pure results are not everything for them: “Whether in Europe or on the abyss, whether with joy or frustration. Infinite pride through the coat of arms on the chest.”
Fischer wanted his team to find a mixture of excitement and relaxation, not cramping. The team, in which defender Robin Knoche started again after his infection, went into the game with high intensity. It almost all went to the Bremen goal. Kevin Behrens (2nd) and Sheraldo Becker (8th) missed from good positions.
The hosts continued to press afterwards, but were rarely really dangerous. The many flanks and corners were often too imprecise, as were the headers. The guests hardly played offensively, but kept getting a foot or head in the defense. It was a game with lots of long balls and cracking header duels.
There’s no holding back: Players and fans celebrate the 1-0 in Berlin.
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Image: AFP
Freiburg’s half-time lead in Frankfurt increased the need for a goal for Union – and the hosts threw everything in front. A hit by Becker did not count because of a previous offside position (55th). Christopher Trimmel’s free kick just missed the post (62′). Marvin Ducksch stopped a header from Danilho Doekhi from the line (67′).
The unrest grew in parts of the stadium until substitute Sven Michel pinned the ball in the penalty area and played it to Khedira. The goal caused pure football ecstasy in the Alte Försterei.
