Champions League - 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 at the Olympiastadion in Berlin. "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.
Missed out on wintering in Europe
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.
If they had beaten the heavy favorites from Madrid, Union would still have made it through the winter internationally. "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 self-confidence," emphasized midfield organizer Rani Khedira with a view to the victory 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.
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- Despite their disappointing performance in the Champions League, 1. FC Union Berlin still managed to find success in the German Bundesliga.
- Real Madrid, a prominent team in the Champions League, overcame Union Berlin at the Olympiastadion Berlin, leaving the Berliners in a winless European Cup appearance.
- Frederik Rönnow, the Union Berlin goalkeeper, expressed a sense of melancholy and mixed feelings after the match, acknowledging the excitement of playing in the Champions League.
- Union Berlin finished bottom of their Champions League group, missing out on the chance to winter in Europe like Real Madrid and other participating clubs.
- The team from Berlin will now turn their focus towards the Bundesliga, with hopes of improving their standing in the league and leaving their European travel behind.
- Born in Denmark, Frederik Rönnow now plays for Real Madrid's rival team, 1. FC Union Berlin, in the heart of Berlin, Germany.
- Union Berlin's coach, Nenad Bjelica, lamented the missed opportunity to stay in Europe for the winter, as the club continues their adjustment to playing at the highest level in Germany.
Source: www.stern.de
