1. FC Union Berlin Suffers Second Late Defeat in Champions League

Second late CL defeat

On the pitch, the disappointed professionals of 1. FC Union Berlin looked helplessly into the Berlin night sky. In the stands, over 73,000 Köpenick fans celebrated their team like winners for minutes. The fact that the “Irons” had recently lost their second Champions League game at the last second in a 2:3 (2:1) draw against SC Braga could not even be guessed at this sight. But the numbers speak for themselves. Two defeats in the premier class, twice more would have been possible: bottom of the table in Group C with zero points.

“The worm is in there. “It just doesn’t want to happen,” said midfielder Janik Haberer as he shuffled through the interview zone in flip-flops. The 29-year-old had no real explanation for his sixth defeat in a row. “Sure, exploiting chances is somehow an issue,” said Haberer hesitantly, referring to the numerous scoring opportunities in the final phase. Even after the 2-0 lead, the Köpenick team could still have improved. Instead, they had to accept the equalizer and later the defeat. “We are currently conceding goals from every shot on goal. “It gets to you,” the midfielder admitted.

56 million to 1.18 billion: Champions League participants by squad values

32 BSC Young Boys | Squad value: €56 million

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Framework Status: 2. October

31 FC Copenhagen | Frame value: 66 Mio. €

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30 Red Star Belgrade | Squad value: €73 million

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29 Royal Antwerp FC | Frame value: 98 Mio. €

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28 Shakhtar Donetsk | Framework value: 107 million. €

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27 SC Braga | Framework value: 126 Mio. €

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26 Celtic Glasgow | Framework value: 127 million. €

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25 PSV Eindhoven | Framework value: 187 Mio. €

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24 1. FC Union Berlin | Squad value: €193 million

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23 RC Lens | Framework value: 198 Mio. €

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22 Feyenoord Rotterdam | Framework value: 205 Mio. €

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21 Red Bull Salzburg | Squad value: €207 million

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20 FC Sevilla | Framework value: 210 Mio. €

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19 Galatasaray | Framework value: 237 Mio. €

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18 Lazio Rom | Framework value: 285 Mio. €

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17 FC Porto | Framework value: 289 Mio. €

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16 Benfica Lisbon | Frame value: 360 Mio. €

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15 Real Sociedad | Squad value: €398 million

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14 RB Leipzig | Squad value: €403 million

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13 Atlético Madrid | Framework value: 442 Mio. €

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12 Borussia Dortmund | Squad value: €467 million

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11 Inter Milan | Squad value: €523 million

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10 AC Milan | Frame value: 529 Mio. €

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9 SSC Neapel | Frame value: 578 Mio. €

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8 Newcastle United | Frame value: 598 Mio. €

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7 FC Barcelona | Framework value: 814 Mio. €

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6 Manchester United | Squad value: €882 million

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5 Bayern Munich | Squad value: €898 million

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4 Real Madrid | Frame value: 991 Mio. €

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3 Paris Saint Germain | Framework value: 1.03 billion. €

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2 Arsenal FC | Squad value: €1.09 billion

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1 Manchester City | Framework value: 1.18 billion. €

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Everything had started so well. Sheraldo Becker (30th/37th minute) scored Berlin’s celebrated debut goal in the premier class. Sikou Niakaté (41st), Bruma (51st) and Castro (90th +4) turned the game around. “I count three 100% opportunities to take the lead again. And with the three goals we conceded, we simply didn’t defend well,” said Union coach Urs Fischer. In order to offer as many “iron players” as possible a ticket, the capital club moved to the venue of local rivals Hertha BSC.

Arriving at the arena, fans saw a brave start from their team. There was no sign of uncertainty after five previous defeats – until Braga scored out of nowhere. The self-confidence from the opening phase was gone and the game tipped over. The second goal conceded at the very last second in the premier class sealed the defeat and turned the initial euphoria about Union’s first participation in the Champions League into disappointment.

“That was a very bitter defeat. “You wonder how much you can take,” said the visibly depressed fisherman. Two weeks ago, in the 0-1 defeat at Real Madrid, the decisive goal only came with the last action of the game. “It’s important to get up even after this blow,” emphasized the Union coach.

The 57-year-old Swiss not only has to lift up his team because of the two defeats in the premier class, but also a team that has now lost a total of six times in a row. Against the Portuguese, Fischer was even happy with the team’s performance, he just missed the right attack in defense.

Next low blow in Berlin: Union coach Fischer struggles with the schedule

“Shortly before the break a standard, shortly after the break a standard. We didn’t defend well when we conceded goals. That’s not enough at this level,” explained Fischer, who missed the assignment of his players: “It’s a task to fulfill.” But the offensive players around double packer Becker also had to put up with criticism from the coach: “We have numerous options, to score more than two goals.” Even before the first goals, Union had a few chances and also after the 2-2 equalizer. “And at the end you sit there and ask yourself: Why?”

International marketing revenues 2023/24: Bavaria at the top, BVB only fifth

12 1. FC Cologne | Revenue: €1.6 million

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The DFL distributes the international marketing revenue based on the points collected by the German European Cup participants over the last five years. UEFA bonuses are not included here. (Source: Kicker)

10 SC Freiburg | Revenue: €2.3 million

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9 Gladbach | Revenue: €2.7 million

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8 Union Berlin | Revenue: €3 million

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7 TSG Hoffenheim | Revenue: €3.4 million

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6 VfL Wolfsburg | Revenue: €3.6 million

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5 BVB | Revenue: €10.5 million

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4 RB Leipzig | Revenue: €11.2 million

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3 Bayer 04 | Revenue: €12.5 million

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2 E. Frankfurt | Revenue: €13.2 million

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1 FC Bayern | Revenue: €19 million

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In addition to the sporting errors in the games, one reason is also the loss of the injured leading players Robin Knoche and Rani Khedira. Even the experienced newcomers Robin Gosens and Leonardo Bonucci cannot make up for their absence because they don’t yet know the procedures exactly and Fischer doesn’t come to practice. “We don’t have time to train at the moment,” said the Union coach, also with a view to the game at Borussia Dortmund next Saturday (3:30 p.m.). That’s where the next blow threatens, after which Union has to get up again. However, BVB is still challenged this Wednesday against AC Milan (9 p.m./in the TM live ticker).

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2023-10-04 08:56:00
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