Against Braga, 1. FC Union scored twice as many goals in one half as they did in the entire month of September. Because the team continued to make the same mistakes defensively, it still suffered its sixth defeat in a row.
The evening in the Berlin Olympic Stadium was historic. There have never been so many Unioners in one place. Over 73,000 flocked west to watch the first Champions League home game in the club’s history.
Just enough to make sure that everyone in the stadium enjoyed the fact that, as a Union fan, it’s normal to lose badly sometimes. Although Braga had more possession, the Iron team dominated the game: the score was 2-0 after 37 minutes. From there it went downhill. The Portuguese scored the winning goal in the 94th minute.
Unfortunate gameplay
“How many hits can you take,” coach Urs Fischer asked himself after conceding a late goal. Union lost again and is at a point that is difficult for many around the Iron Men to categorize. The club has had consistent success over the last five years, but now Union have lost six times in a row. Should we be happy that Union is playing in Europe in front of such an incredible backdrop, or should we be annoyed that things aren’t going well at all this season?
In the stands, defiant pride mixed with anger at the next late goal conceded and the next game that Union lost despite better chances. “Disappointment is a good thing,” said Urs Fischer. “But I can’t be mad at my team after this performance.”
Union is reflecting on old strengths
Compared to the last Bundesliga defeat in Heidenheim, Fischer again relied on Union’s tried and tested 5-3-2 system. Third striker David Datro Fofana had to make way for another midfielder. Union was a little deeper than in the last games and wanted to let the opponent come. Braga coach Artur Jorge has warned several times this season that his team has problems with opponents who knit a narrow net in front of their own penalty area. Union’s strikers only attacked Braga’s build-up play from the halfway line, with two narrow defensive lines behind them.
Nevertheless, Jorge’s team also played a lot of short passes in Berlin and his full-backs moved so far forward from the back four that the Portuguese were effectively only with the two central defenders and six Al-Musrati when Union won the ball and quickly played up front . Both goals came after Sheraldo Becker was sent deep via Braga’s left defense.
Union’s switching game was back to the level of recent years on Tuesday. The team consistently played the right gaps. “It was a very good first 35 minutes with numerous opportunities,” said Fischer. “The 2-0 win was really deserved.”
Defensive mistakes repeat themselves
Unfortunately, Fischer’s “was” sounded suspicious after his interviews in the weeks before the home debut at the Olympic Stadium. Union also had enough chances to win in the league games against Wolfsburg, Hoffenheim and Heidenheim. Union didn’t score any points, especially because they only managed one goal in the entire month of September. Against Braga there were two within seven minutes from the 30th minute of the game. That wasn’t enough to win because Union wasn’t able to defend their lead.
Of course it was empty, said Janik Haberer, describing the team’s emotional state. At Union the worm was in, he concluded. It sounds as if the players are slowly becoming at a loss and are classifying the current problems as force majeure. There is also a footballing explanation for Braga’s goals: in all three goals conceded, the back area in front of the penalty area remained uncovered. Union also conceded goals from this zone against Heidenheim, Real Madrid and Leipzig. So when Jannik Haberer says: “We’ll get the next shot from 25 meters,” Union fans can definitely be worried. Because if a team regularly makes the same mistake, luck or the opponent’s sporting class is no longer a sufficient explanation for the goals conceded.
Khedira and bones are missing
Especially since Union copied last season’s playing system against Braga. But that didn’t bring security back. The fact that a 1-0 lead for the Iron team last season was virtually equivalent to a victory was not a law of nature, but the result of a perfectly coordinated team. The biggest difference from last season is the injuries to Rani Khedira and Robin Knoche.
This has been analyzed frequently in recent weeks and newcomers like Leonardo Bonucci, Alex Kral and Lucas Tousart should actually be able to replace them. Apparently the team’s tectonics have shifted so much that the next goal conceded – or the next earthquake in the backcourt – is never far away. “Even after this blow, it’s important to get up again,” demanded Urs Fischer.
You can rely on the fans
At least Union can rely on the fans. Even if the Champions League against Braga felt little like a normal home game in the Alte Försterei: “FC Union, our love, our team, our pride, our club” echoed from the stands of the Olympic Stadium long after the final whistle, even though it was there Nobody could read the text from the roof like at home in Köpenick. That was the positive thing: the masses Union is now moving in Berlin has never been as clear as it was on this evening in the Champions League.
Broadcast: rbb24 Inforadio, October 4th, 2023, 9:15 a.m
