Unbelievable! Sheraldo Becker pulls his jersey over his face in anger. Ironically, in the historic Europa League game, Union was weak and goalless Photo: Andreas Gora/dpa
By Sebastian Karkos
That’s not how it was intended. Ironically, Union Saint-Gilloise proves to be a party crasher in the Alte Försterei. The Belgians kidnapped all the points from Berlin at the Europa League opener. The Iron surprisingly lose 0:1.
Rani Khedira disappointed: “It was almost too little of everything, a poor game.”
Everything is prepared for a red and white party. The Union fans celebrate the first European home game in their stadium. After 24 years, Uefa had allowed standing room in club competitions again.
Choreography by the fans of 1. FC Union Berlin before the match between 1. FC Union Berlin and Saint-Gilloise on September 8th, 2022 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Jan-Philipp Burmann/City-Press GmbH) Photo: City Press GmbH
For the Belgians it is the first participation in the European Cup. However, the runner-up from Brussels, accompanied by around 600 fans, did not come as a party guest. You can see that from the start.
In front of 21,512 spectators, the iron found no recipe against the ball-safe Belgians. A deflected shot by Kevin Behrens (19′), a header by Janik Haberer (29′) – two half-chances, that’s all there is to it.
The opponent does it better. Saint-Gilloise’s lead is deserved and played out beautifully. From the penalty area, the Belgians combine five stations forward. Boniface serves Lynen in the penalty area at the end. He shoots into the short corner. 0-1 (39′). Niko Gießelmann: “We wanted to prevent such counterattacks.”
Union’s Niko Gießelmann can no longer intervene and prevent the 0:1 by Belgian Senne Lynen Photo: ODD ANDERSEN/AFP
After the break, Union increases the pressure. The fans whip the players forward. A Behrens header goes past (59′). Substitute Sven Michel’s shot is too little (77th). Saint-Gilloise can hardly get out of his own half, but brings the result over time.
Bitter: Joker Michel rightly gets red for a kick in the calf by Teuma (90 + 6).
Next Thursday in Braga (Portuguese won 2-0 in Malmo) points are needed. Otherwise it will be tight with the goal of “overwintering in the Europa League”.