By Sebastian Karkos
The best Unioner was in goal today…
After the 3-0 defeat in the top game in Munich last week, Union Berlin only managed a goalless draw against Cologne on a new pitch (freshly laid on Thursday). And only keeper Rönnow saved his team from the second bankruptcy in a row.
The FC with coach Steffen Baumgart, who played for the Irons from 2002 to 2004 and still lives in Köpenick, already had the better chances in half one.
Ljubicic missed the FC lead by just a few centimeters (19′) before Rönnow reacted strongly for the first time and fished a shot from Tigges from the near corner (39′).
Cologne’s Dejan Ljubicic against Union’s Sheraldo Becker for the ball Photo: dpa picture radio
But the zero number at half-time is no surprise: Union have not scored in the first half of their previous three games, and Cologne have now gone six games in a row without a goal in the first 45 minutes.
Even after the break Cologne had the best chances, but the Baumgart team didn’t want to score. First Maina moves freely in front of the box (50th). Then Rönnow saves several times with strong saves against the shots of Martel (51st), Kainz (59th) and Hector (66th).
Unions Laidouni in a duel with Cologne’s Julian Chabot Photo: REUTERS/Annegret Hilse
The storm and goal epidemic at FC continues. Cologne have been waiting for a win away from home since October 2022 and for a striker goal for 699 minutes. There was no goal away from home in the second half of the season and only one goal in the last seven away games.
Problem: Winter newcomer Selke has been suffering from injury since his move, and is only on the bench again at Union. Actually, he should have ran from the start.
And Union? The third in the table does not take place offensively at all, has no chance to score. And today I would like to thank Keeper Rönnow for taking a point with them after all…