1. FC Union Berlin and Hertha BSC have a neighborly relationship that is not entirely smooth and it didn’t improve on Saturday. Not that that was intended. But a bit of neighborly help in the form of a win against VfB Stuttgart, which like Hertha BSC is in a relegation battle, was definitely within the realm of possibility. Alone: Union gave up this victory at the last minute. After a 1-0 half-time lead, the Köpenickers conceded the equalizer against VfB. And that had a number of implications.
It not only meant that Union missed the early achievement of the season goal called 40 points. But ultimately also that Hertha – because of their 0-2 defeat at Borussia Mönchengladbach – had to swap places with the Swabians. VfB has been on the relegation rank since Saturday, Hertha on a relegation rank. “That gives us a broad chest for the upcoming games – regardless of what the opponents do,” said Stuttgart coach Pellegrino Materazzo.
The goal to make it 1-1 followed a pattern that should give Stuttgart a lot of hope. Left-back Borna Sosa crossed into the heart of the box and, as so often in the past, found center forward Sasa Kalajdzic. The Austrian national striker stretched his leg, maneuvered the ball into the Köpenicker goal and thus equalized the opening goal from Union center forward Taiwo Awoniyi (41st). The Nigerian had converted a penalty conjured up by Konstantinos Mavropanos in a save. “We’re happy to take the point because not every team at Union scores,” said Kalajdzic.
Baumgartl complains about the referee: “A cheek!”
The game lived up to expectations in almost every respect. And that meant it was as viscous as cold motor oil for a long period of time. The referee Robert Hartmann did his part with a remarkably weak game management, which particularly annoyed the Unioner. “What some did on the field is crazy. I don’t know if we play youth football or something else – sorry for the emotions, but that’s cheeky. Anyone can make up what I mean here,” said Union defender Timo Baumgartl on Sky and said the referee: “There was no line to be seen, every 50:50 duel was called for Stuttgart. We play men’s football, so you have to evaluate duels differently.”
Taiwo Awoniyi (left) celebrates his penalty goal. For a long time it seemed as if this goal would be enough for Union Berlin to win at home.
(Photo: Andreas Gora/dpa)
Especially in the early stages, both teams noticed that avoiding mistakes was the top priority. Union acted a bit more optimistically, had chances here and there – like a long-range shot by Rani Khedira, two attempts from a tight angle by Nico Gießelmann and Grischa Pröml, or a goal by Awoniyi denied for offside – and therefore deserved one leadership could speak.
That only changed and turned around after the break. “In the second half we tried to be more confident and created more chances to score,” said last-minute goalscorer Kalajdzic. The Austrian has now scored three goals in the last four games. It can be seen as one of the most important arguments for Stuttgart in the relegation battle. “No one wanted to hear that we missed Kalajdzic in the first half of the season,” said sporting director Sven Mislintat about the attacking force, who had been out for months due to a serious shoulder injury. But it’s not just Kalajdzic. Players like Omar Marmoush and Chris Führich have also returned – and expand the personal alternatives for coach Materazzo.
Like Kalajdzic, Mislintat found it extremely legitimate to draw confidence from the fact that he scored in Koepenick. Mislintat counts the Berliners among the best organized teams in the Bundesliga, especially defensively. But it was at least as valuable that Stuttgart came from a 0:2 deficit against Mönchengladbach last week and – also in the final phase – still won 3:2. That adds to a boost in confidence that should be welcome in the final weeks of the season.
“It was just important for us to tip the momentum, we did that last week,” said Mislintat. Now you have “silvered” that victory with a point win. The grab for the more expensive metal should follow in the coming week, when VfB welcomes FC Augsburg. Kalajdzic looked forward to the game with anticipation: “I hope that every one of the 60,000 seats allowed will be filled and that the fans will carry us forward.”
