Bundesliga
Union defeats Gladbach – Europa League showdown awaits
Union Berlin players cheer after the win. photo
© Andreas Gora/dpa
For a long time, what had been expected for weeks seemed to be happening against Gladbach. Union Berlin has to lose its feathers and give up the top of the table. Instead, the Iron create another tour de force.
The fans can lose themselves in mind games, the players from leaders Union Berlin remain connoisseurs for the time being.
“The fans dream, but we don’t talk about it. We just step on the gas,” said goalscorer Kevin Behrens after the furious 2-1 win over Borussia Mönchengladbach with two late goals. Colleague Rani Khedira said with beaming eyes: “Of course it’s a great feeling when the fans celebrate us like that again after the game. It’s a very, very great snapshot that we just enjoy.”
Because once again “German champion will only be the FCU” resounded through the stadium An der Alten Försterei, even if after 60 minutes it still looked like the first real damper of the Bundesliga season, which football Germany seems to be waiting for. Bayern back in first place, everything back to normal.
Coach Fischer praises the mentality of the team
But the iron ones have now also rediscovered their taker qualities. After losing the last four games in which they fell behind, the Berliners came back against the courageous Gladbachers – and how. Driven by the ranks, attack after attack rolled towards the goal of the guests. The winning goal seemed the only logical consequence, even before it actually fell.
That also impressed coach Urs Fischer. “It speaks for the character and the mentality of the team if you can generate such force,” said the Swiss.
“Everything is possible”
After twelve match days, the Köpenickers are still at the top of the table with 26 points. When does a snapshot become a title ambition? “We’re not starting to go crazy. Our goal remains the same, whether we have 26 points or not, the 40-point mark,” said the Swiss. Winning goalscorer Danilho Doekhi also remained cautious after the game, but allowed himself to be carried away with an “everything is possible”.
The Berliners will have to do without the support of their supporters on Thursday in the decisive group game for entry into the knockout round of the Europa League at Royale Union Saint-Gilloise (9 p.m. / RTL +). Due to various misconduct of parts of the attachment, Union is not allowed to award away tickets.
Fischer did not want to overestimate the value of the emotional sense of achievement on Sunday. “Of course it can release forces,” said the 56-year-old. But you also take something away from defeats like the one in Bochum last weekend. “It’s always good when it comes back in the next game. That seems to be the case for us at the moment.”
