EThere was certainly little superstition when Union coach Urs Fischer brought Sven Michel into play after an hour. Those attackers with the socks cut open at the back so that the round, bulging calves get better blood flow. Michel is certainly not one of Fischer’s graces, the coach has had less and less use for his striker lately.
But Michel left his mark in Leipzig. That was last spring when he helped Union with a goal in their late away win at RB. This time he didn’t score, but he was involved in the crucial scene. In a dogfight with Michel, Leipzig defender Mohamed Simakan got the ball in his hand. A penalty later, Union led 1:2 and did not give up this result. Like once in the spring.
The players celebrated exuberantly in front of the seesaw curve, around 10,000 Berlin supporters traveled to see their new favorite enemy, against whom every win is sweet. Union has now defeated RB in the league five times in a row, always 2-1, interrupted only by a defeat in the cup. The repeated victory not only means that Union has reached its self-imposed goal of staying in the class earlier than ever before.
“It doesn’t work for me at all”
The Berliners remain the first pursuers of FC Bayern. “We still don’t see ourselves as championship contenders,” said defender Niko Gießelmann. Always stay nice and modest, only thinking about the next game, that’s how Urs Fischer likes to be. But Union’s coach also had to admit a certain helplessness in view of the fifth league victory in a row. “I don’t know where this is going,” he said.
Only the fans are allowed to dream, and from their point of view there are hardly any better places to dream than in Leipzig. The fan camps and clubs have a deep dislike for each other, which has contributed to the success of some very exciting football games in the recent past. However, also to some disrespect. In the Union block, an abusive poster was held up against Leipzig’s sports director Max Eberl, who only returned to the business in December after taking a break of his own accord. Urs Fischer condemned the action. “It doesn’t work for me at all,” he said.
Robin Knoche converts the penalty to 2-1 for Union Berlin.
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Image: Reuters
Things weren’t so headless on the field, both teams strictly followed their plan. Nevertheless, the best Saturday evening entertainment developed towards the end. But first things first: The encounter was not only eagerly awaited because of the rivalry, but also because the fourth received the second. A chasing duel with the aim of clarifying who could be the first contender should, yes, Bayern should somehow stumble.
The exposed position of both teams could not be seen on the pitch at first. Many duels were fought for this, many even. As always when Union is involved. The ball was often in the air, just the way the Berliners like it. There weren’t just chances to score. The fact that it didn’t go into the dressing room with a goalless draw had something to do with someone who is otherwise rarely the center of attention. Union goalkeeper Frederik Rönnow let a shot by Benjamin Henrichs, which was not particularly hard and not particularly well placed, pass (24th minute).
The goal put Union behind, but not out of the concept. The Berliners also continued to play stoically to their liking, involved Leipzig in even more duels, but slowly stalked closer to the opposing goal. Sheraldo Becker tried it from a tight angle (38′).
As in various other encounters, little came out of the game at Union, only that leaves Urs Fischer’s team cold. She knows her strengths very well, especially after dead balls. No team in the Bundesliga is more dangerous at corners, and there was evidence of this in Leipzig. And in the most beautiful form. Janik Haberer took a clarification attempt after a corner kick directly from the air. Volley, 20 meters from the edge of the penalty area (61st). What a goal to equalize!
Leipzig’s goal is not recognized
There was little constructive action from Leipzig before and after this goal. “We just didn’t do enough,” said substitute Emil Forsberg. “Too little train in the direction of the opposing goal,” said Leipzig coach Marco Rose. Union had things under control in their own way and had the necessary luck on their own side. The penalty didn’t come from a real scoring opportunity, but when it works, it works. Simakan’s handball was indisputable, Robin Knoche converted safely (73′).
It got really exciting after that. Leipzig equalized through Yussuf Poulsen, who was substituted on, but the video referee called. He had recognized an offside position from Timo Werner when it developed. That was at least debatable because a Berliner had touched the ball beforehand and Werner only then intervened. The people of Leipzig were no longer able to convert the resulting anger into positive energy. Although Forsberg almost managed to equalize with a header in added time, RB lost for the first time since September in the Bundesliga.