Game one after Fischer: Union ends losing streak
Although 1. FC Union Berlin have ended their losing streak in the Bundesliga under interim coach duo Marco Grote and Marie-Louise Eta, they are still waiting for their first win since August.
In game one after the end of the Urs Fischer era, the Köpenickers drew 1:1 (0:1) with FC Augsburg at the sold-out Stadion An der Alten Försterei on Saturday. Kevin Volland secured the draw late on with his first goal for Union (88th minute).
The Berliners left the bottom of the table with their first point after nine league defeats in a row, but have now not won for 15 games. Eta made history as the first female assistant coach at a men's Bundesliga club.
Augsburg scores from the spot - Union misses
In front of 22,012 spectators, Ermedin Demirovic had put the visitors ahead (39th penalty). Robin Knoche missed a penalty for Berlin (58').
Union's next important game in the Champions League is on Wednesday at SC Braga (21:00/DAZN). At stake is who will be allowed to continue in the Europa League next year. In the Bundesliga, Berlin then have to face record champions Bayern Munich next Saturday.
FCA will host Eintracht Frankfurt on the next matchday. The Swabians remained unbeaten in their fifth match under new coach Jess Thorup with their third draw in a row. Augsburg are in mid-table.
Before the game, the names of former world-class footballer Raúl and ex-Bundesliga coaches Alfred Schreuder and Oliver Glasner were bandied about in the press as possible successors to Fischer. "In the end, it has to be a coach who has authenticity, who has a clear path," said president Dirk Zingler before the game on pay-TV channel Sky.
Union fans thank Fischer
Fischer's departure initially set the mood in the stadium. Banners once again thanked the Swiss, who had been so successful for so long and who, in his own words, wanted to watch the game on television, and his assistant coach Markus Hoffmann. "You have made dreams come true that we never really had," they said.
However, after five and a half years under the Swiss, Grote and Eta were on the bench on Saturday, who had tried to clear the heads of the professionals in many conversations in their short time before the game.
Even if there were some uncertainties, the Berliners looked more dynamic in attack. Kevin Behrens (10) and David Datro Fofana (45-4) missed from promising positions. But the visitors also had their chances.
As so often in recent weeks, an unfortunate incident made life difficult for the Berliners. Gosens made a risky tackle on the edge of the penalty area, hitting his opponent and the ball. Referee Florian Badstübner decided to award a penalty and stuck to his decision after looking at the video footage. Demirovic converted. The mood in the stands became increasingly angry at the decision. Shortly before the break, Phillip Tietz came close to making it 2-0 with a header.
After a collision between Iago and Christopher Trimmel, the referee decided to award a penalty after looking at the screen. But Knoche was denied by Dahmen. A goal by Gosens was disallowed for offside. Union went on the attack. Volland equalized to huge cheers after a rebound in the penalty area.
Despite the draw against FC Augsburg, 1st FC Union Berlin managed to move out of the Bundesliga's bottom position, thanks to interim coach duo Marco Grote and Marie-Louise Eta. In their next Bundesliga match, Union will face Bayern Munich, aiming to secure their first win since August, or continue their current streak in the Europa League against SC Braga. Meanwhile, FC Augsburg, with their new coach Jess Thorup, will host Eintracht Frankfurt in their next match, aiming to maintain their mid-table position in the Bundesliga.
Source: www.dpa.com
