By Sebastian Karkos, Moses Tolkemitt and Phillip Arens
Was that too little? Or can this point still be valuable in the end? When referee Korb whistled the end of the game at 5:21 p.m., there was a lot of applause in the Alte Försterei. The fans celebrate their pros for the 0-0 draw against Leverkusen.
But: The competitors for the Champions League are getting closer! Because Freiburg (1-0 in Cologne) and Leipzig (1-0 against Hoffenheim) also win, the lead melts a little.
Positive: Next Saturday (3.30 p.m.) both opponents will play against each other. And: Union is almost certain to win the European Cup, only the competition is still open! With the draw against the in-form Leverkusen, the Irons keep their 8-point cushion over the Werkself.
Attacker Sheraldo Becker: “A bit painful, but we can be satisfied with one point.” Coach Urs Fischer: “One point won.”
► To the game: Both teams don’t want to lose under any circumstances, so they defend well. It’s still an interesting game, even if it doesn’t stand much of a chance. Leverkusen’s Diaby has the best chance of a goal, shooting over it from close range (16′).
► And Union? After a Haberer cross, Jordan Siebatcheu launches a diving header, which flies over the goal (12′). The native American replaces the suspended Kevin Behrens (5th yellow) in attack – and in combination with Becker he doesn’t do that badly at all!
Frederik Rönnow (left) kept his box clean. Union kept a clean sheet for the twelfth time in the league Photo: city press
Still, there are hardly any chances. Leverkusen, who basically have to win, only really step on the gas in the closing stages. Too late!
The iron ones can’t be cracked again. The best defense in the league (31 goals conceded) keeps their box clean again. Leverkusen’s national player Florian Wirtz praises: “It’s just very difficult to play in this stadium. Union made it very difficult for us.”
Josip Juranovic (left) tries to stop Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz Photo: city press
By the way: Some German national handball players like Andreas Wolff (32) and Johannes Golla (25) are also in the stadium.
With hoods on the standing grandstand: Andreas Wolff (2nd from left) and DHB captain Johannes Golla (3rd from left) at the Union kick Photo: Matthew Koch
But not in the VIP area, but in sector 4. The team meets Spain on Sunday (3:35 p.m. in the Schmeling Hall)..