Ten yellow, one red
Penalty brings Union Berlin a late happy ending
10/13/2022, 11:00 p.m
It’s another win against Malmö FF: 1. FC Union Berlin celebrates their second success in the Europa League. The progression is still possible for the leaders of the Bundesliga, the Conference League is already secured. Referee Aleksandar Stavrev has his hands full.
After the home win in the high-security game, the players of 1. FC Union Berlin jumped to the fans: after a hard-earned patience win against Malmö FF, they and their supporters celebrated the early winter in the European Cup. In the second leg against Sweden, which was explosive after the fan riots a week ago, the Irons came to a late 1-0 (0-0) win in the Europa League in their own stadium. Robin Knoche scored a penalty kick in the 89th minute to earn the deserved and celebrated victory.
“Everyone in the stadium feels it’s something special,” said Union’s Rani Khedira on Nitro. “The evening was so awesome today with the fans.” The fact that the Berliners are now staying in the European Cup “sounds unbelievable”. His captain Christopher Trimmel saw it similarly: “I’m super proud.”
The leaders of the Bundesliga can no longer be dislodged from third place in their group in continental competition and will certainly be in the knockout phase of the Conference League in February. Sporting Braga or Saint-Gilloise in Group D still need to be overtaken to remain in the Europa League. In the Bundesliga, the Irons face the summit meeting against fourth-placed Borussia Dortmund on Sunday.
No fireworks – not in the stands, not on the pitch
Lots of police in front of the stadium, strict security checks – the pyro riots of both fan camps at the first leg in Sweden a week ago led to a tense atmosphere. Even a helicopter circled over the stadium at the old forester’s house. A few Bengalos were also detonated again in the Malmö block. The Union supporters – very peacefully – raised an oversized airplane as a choreography with the kick-off. The message to the team was that further trips to Europe are absolutely desirable.
In terms of sport, it wasn’t fireworks that the irons initially offered on the lawn. A lot of patience was required against physically robust guests who, like Union, took little risk in a tactically solid order. A shot by Sheraldo Becker (18th minute), a cheeky corner variation by Rani Khedira (25th), a header by Jordan Sibatcheu (31st) and again Becker (44th) with a shot over the goal – there were chances, right none of them were mandatory. Coach Urs Fischer kept complaining on the sidelines.
The Union coach should have chosen clear words during the break. In any case, the Irons came back onto the lawn with noticeably more momentum. The greater offensive drive had an effect. Khedira (64th) hit the outer post from the edge of the penalty area. A little later, Sibatcheu (65th) failed with a fine heel trick on Malmö goalkeeper Ismael Diawara.
The penalty decision, which was withdrawn by referee Aleksandar Stavrev from North Macedonia, was very exciting for the Union fans. Morten Thorsby (70th) was actually not fouled by Martin Olsson. There was no doubt about the foul on Kevin Behrens. Knoche converted safely and caused jubilation in the old forester’s house. In stoppage time, Malmö’s Emmanuel Lomotey saw the red card for gross foul play.