Soccer - After Union's winless European Cup appearance: melancholy prevails
After the winless end to 1. FC Union Berlin 's European tour this season, melancholy and disappointment prevailed. Whether the sole focus on fighting relegation from the Bundesliga after finishing bottom of the group in their Champions League debut is now an advantage was not really clear to the players and coach.
"Of course we have to focus on the Bundesliga now, but it was also great to play in the Champions League in the last few months," said goalkeeper Frederik Rönnow after the 2:3 (1:0) against Real Madrid on Tuesday evening in Berlin's Olympiastadion. "Maybe it's good, I don't know," he said, pointing out that the Iron had also played successfully both internationally and nationally in recent years.
The Köpenickers, who were promoted to the Bundesliga in 2019, ended their first season in the top flight with just two points from six games. Union did not manage a single win in Group C with Real, SSC Napoli and SC Braga. The Portuguese club finished third behind Madrid and Napoli to secure the Europa League consolation prize.
A win against the heavy favorites from Madrid would have seen Union through the winter at international level. "I would have liked to have stayed in Europe," said coach Nenad Bjelica. The 52-year-old Croatian has only been in the job since the end of November following the end of Urs Fischer's era. Last weekend, Union achieved their first win in a competitive match in 16 games under Bjelica and improved to 15th place.
"The last game against Gladbach gives you the biggest reason to have confidence," emphasized midfield organizer Rani Khedira with a view to the win in the Bundesliga, in which Union have to play next Saturday at VfL Bochum, 14th in the table with three points more than the Berliners.
Tables and matches Union at X Real at X Union Berlin website Real Madrid website
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Source: www.stern.de
