Union Berlin also lost its first home game in the Champions League. In the sold-out Olympic Stadium, the Köpenick team lost a 2-0 lead against Braga.
- Sheraldo Becker goes down as the first Champions League goalscorer in Union’s club history with a brace
- As in Madrid, Union’s defeat was only sealed in the 94th minute
- The bitter last-minute defeat is the sixth in a row for Union
The 1. FC Union Berlin narrowly missed the first point in the club’s history in the premier class in his first home game in the Champions League. In the Berlin Olympic Stadium, the Köpenickers lost 2:3 (2:1) against Sporting Braga on Tuesday evening. They lost a 2-0 lead.
Strong atmosphere in the Olympic Stadium
Right from the start of the game its special character was clearly noticeable. Around 74,000 spectators created an impressive backdrop in the sold-out Olympic Stadium, which was, for once, resplendent in Union red instead of Hertha blue. Some of the Union fans did express criticism of Uefa’s stadium requirements with several banners in the opposite direction – but not without loudly supporting their team from the stands.
It got particularly loud in the Olympic Stadium after less than four minutes of play when Union’s Robin Gosens scored what was supposed to be 1-0 for the hosts. As part of a quick and determined counterattack on the right wing, Sheraldo Becker hit a sharp cross into the penalty area. Janik Haberer initially missed the opportunity to finish the ball before Gosens only had to push in the resulting rebound. The almost frenetic cheering among the Union fans only lasted for a short time. A VAR check revealed that Sheraldo Becker was offside when the counterattack described occurred. So it stayed 0-0 for the time being.
Sheraldo Becker towers over
However, a fast-paced game then developed with many scoring chances. Union goalkeeper Frederik Rönnow had to intervene for the first time in a dangerous Braga free kick (14th minute), before Kevin Behrens let a promising Union counterattack fizzle out without finishing or passing (19th).
A home game in a foreign stadium (sometimes) bodes well
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Overall, the guests from Braga constantly tried to play their dangerous offensive game, but revealed glaring gaps in their defensive transition game. This was also the case when, in the 30th minute, after winning the ball, a single pass from Alex Kral to Becker was enough to eliminate Braga’s entire backline. Becker marched down the right wing, decided against a pass to Behrens, who was running with him, and converted coldly through the legs of Braga goalkeeper Matheus Magalhaes. It was the first ever Champions League goal for both Becker himself and 1. FC Union.
The second one didn’t take long to arrive: seven minutes and a good Portuguese chance (Bruma, 33′) later, Becker caused the Olympic Stadium to shake again. After a long ball from Danilho Doekhi and a header from Lucas Tousart, Becker again had a clear path to the goal in the middle and used this opportunity to shoot a powerful shot from the top left into the goal and take the 2-0 lead.
However, the visitors from Braga, who were incredibly aggressive offensively, were hardly impressed by this goal. On the contrary: In the 41st minute, Niakate used a rebound after Unions Rönnow’s uncertainty to make it 2-1. Shortly afterwards we went to the dressing rooms for half-time.
Sheraldo Becker celebrates the first goal in Union’s Champions League history | Image: IMAGO/RHR photo
Draw despite the final spurt
Back from this, Sporting took control of the game after a few minutes. The Portuguese now presented themselves even more offensively than before and promptly demonstrated their set-piece qualities. Bruma was the final stop of a good corner kick variant 27 meters from the goal: Braga’s striker prepared the ball and then sank it powerfully and accurately into the top right corner – a dream goal to equalize 2-2.
But even Union was only noticeably impressed by this for a short time. A balanced game developed with a lot of intensity and chances on both sides. Substitute Kevin Volland had Union’s best opportunity in a long time after 70 minutes: after a nice cross from Becker, he fired his shot straight at Braga goalkeeper Magalhaes. The busy and strong-playing Becker himself narrowly missed taking the Union lead again shortly afterwards.
Even after that, Union was not satisfied with the draw. The Berliners clearly regained control of the game in the final quarter of an hour and created several chances to score. However, the guests scored the winning goal shortly before the end: Andre Castro scored in the fourth minute of stoppage time to make it 2-3 and seal a bitter defeat for 1. FC Union.
The game in the live ticker
Broadcast: rbb24, October 3rd, 2023, 6 p.m
