Another late CL knockout
Real Madrid snatches the European Cup ticket from Union Berlin
December 12, 2023, 10:57 p.m
Kevin Volland’s opening goal makes 1. FC Union dream of a European winter. But then Real Madrid struck mercilessly in the Champions League group final. While the Royal team completed a perfect preliminary round, the Köpenick team remain winless in the premier class.
Union Berlin has impressively stood up to the giant Real Madrid for a long time and said goodbye to the Champions League with its head held high. After a great fight, the Köpenick team lost 2:3 (1:0) to the Spanish star ensemble in the Olympic Stadium and, as bottom of the group, also missed the ticket for the Europa League.
“That’s a bit annoying,” said Kevin Volland, who surprisingly gave the Iron Men the lead in front of 73,420 spectators (45th + 1). Previously, the outstanding goalkeeper Frederik Rönnow had even parried a hand penalty from Croatian veteran Luka Modrić (45th). But Joselu (61st, 73rd) turned the game around with a brace. The second Berlin goal by Alex Kral (85th) was countered by Dani Ceballos (89th). Real crowned a perfect group stage with their sixth win in their sixth game. “We were able to make one or two pinpricks,” emphasized Volland, “but again it wasn’t enough.”
1. FC Union: Rönnow – Jaeckel (75th Becker), Knoche, Leite – Juranovic (82nd Trimmel), Khedira (75th Kral), Haberer, Roussillon – Volland (82nd Aaronson), Gosens (75th Laidouni) – Behrens; Trainer: Bjelica
Real Madrid: Kepa – Vazquez, Nacho, Alaba (71. Rüdiger), Fran Garcia – Ceballos (90. Paz), Fede Valverde (46. Kroos), Modrić – Bellingham – Rodrygo (80. Brahim Díaz), Joselu; Trainer: Ancelotti
Referee: Rade Obrenovic (Slovenia)
Gates: 1:0 Volland (45th+1), 1:1 Joselu (61st), 1:2 Joselu (72nd), 2:2 Kral (85th), 2:3 Ceballos (89th)
Special incident: Rönnow saves a hand penalty from Modrić (45th)
Yellow cards: Khedira, Laidouni – Bellingham, Alaba
Viewers: 73,420
For Union, who suffered their first defeat under new coach Nenad Bjelica, their first premier class season ended without a win. Real, on the other hand, crowned a perfect group phase with their sixth success in their sixth game.
Dani Ceballos takes the decisive trick
After the breakthrough in the Bundesliga on Saturday against Borussia Mönchengladbach (3-1), Bjelica announced that he would go into the duel with the Spanish record champions with a “broad chest” – and his team also started very courageously. After Modric lost the ball, Kevin Behrens missed a great chance to take the lead after just 50 seconds, Real keeper Kepa made a strong save.
The guests, who were missing German national player Antonio Rüdiger and 2014 world champion Toni Kroos from the starting line-up, subsequently took control of the game. Exceptional player Jude Bellingham failed from a tight angle to Rönnow (10th). Coach Carlo Ancelotti’s team remained dangerous, Joselu headed it onto the crossbar (16′).
Union withdrew far and stood compactly, Real patiently looked for the gap in the Berlin defense with more than 80 percent possession. A free kick from Fede Valverde (25th) flew a meter past the goal, after which Union increasingly freed itself from the opponent’s grip before events came to a head shortly before the half-time whistle. Diogo Leite caused a hand penalty, Rönnow parried Modric’s weak, centered attempt. In return, Volland scored from close range, seemingly out of nowhere, to take the lead.
Real came out of the break angry, but Union fought hard. Rönnow remained a strong support, the Dane first held on brilliantly against Rodrygo’s header (55th), but was powerless against Joselu a little later. As a result, the game petered out, Real controlled the game but no longer took big risks. Union fought back with sacrifice and didn’t give up even after Joselu’s second goal. Ceballos touched the hearts of players and fans after the ecstatically cheered equalizer.