Red and white celebrations in the blue and white stadium: Union’s Robin Knoche (left) celebrates the 3-1 win against Hertha.
Photo: imago images / Jan Huebner
50 supporters of 1. FC Union gathered on Thursday night at the An der Alten Försterei stadium in Berlin-Köpenick. They had flocked from the surrounding residential areas and pubs to give their crew a fitting welcome. In the Olympic Stadium, 24 kilometers away, the pros had deservedly defeated their city rivals Hertha BSC 3-2 in the round of 16 of the DFB Cup. For the first time since 2011, Union was able to win a competitive game against Hertha in the big Charlottenburg bowl. However, due to the corona, only 200 Union fans were allowed to be there live.
So it’s no wonder that many a sympathizer was looking forward to the arrival of the team bus »home«. He was then greeted at 12:40 a.m. with pyrotechnics and shouts of “Eisern-Union”. It was possible to celebrate twice that late. After all, the association celebrated its 56th anniversary on Thursday.
In terms of sport, the club is better than ever. Even if you count the league rivals RB Leipzig, which supporters call a “marketing construct”, Union is currently the best team in the new federal states. And in their own town, the people of Wuhlheide have taken another step towards the changing of the guard. As in the Bundesliga home win in November (2-0), Union was clearly the better team in the Olympic Stadium. The result is tighter than the game seemed, especially since Hertha was only able to reduce the deficit to 2:3 in injury time. “We played a good first half, which we controlled well with the exception of a few actions. The team showed again what will and what mentality they have,” praised Union coach Urs Fischer.
His team benefited from a fantastic shot by Andreas Voglsammer, an own goal by Niklas Stark and a goal by defender Robin Knoche. After the 1:3, the players stood at the edge of the field in a jubilant pose with a view of the fan block. “Even if the stadium isn’t full, a derby is always something great – especially in the DFB Cup,” said Max Kruse. For Union’s creative players, Union is clearly the number one in the capital.
The Irons have also tasted blood in the cup now that teams like Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen have long been eliminated. »Many of the favorites are already out, we still need two wins before the final. Let’s see what pairings come up. We don’t have to hide,” said Kruse.
In the Bundesliga, Union is swimming on a wave of success after four games without defeat and the jump to fifth place. On Saturday, the team could get the next points from the weakening Borussia from Mönchengladbach. In addition, she could show the central defender Marvin Friedrich, who recently migrated to Gladbach, that he has lost his way, at least in terms of sport. Union is currently nine points ahead of Borussia.
For Hertha supporters, the end against Union is another low point. On Thursday morning there was a poster on the fence of the office with a single word: “Shame.” The team was introduced again. At the beginning of the game, the Hertha fans sang that their club was Berlin’s number one. After half an hour, however, the first “we-want-to-see-you-fight” choruses could be heard.
“We didn’t deserve to win the game either. Most of all, we feel sorry for our fans. We have a lot to talk about, “announced Hertha’s coach Tayfun Korkut later. There is no quick improvement in sight. Champion Bayern Munich is visiting Hertha on Sunday. Since it is difficult with the increase in points. Before the following games at home against Bochum and in Fürth, the pressure in the relegation battle could increase again.
