After the end of the European trip
After 1. FC Union Berlin’s European trip ended without a win this season, sadness and disappointment prevailed. Players and coaches didn’t really know whether concentrating solely on the fight against relegation from the Bundesliga after failing to finish bottom of the group in their Champions League debut was an advantage.
“Of course we have to focus on the Bundesliga now, but it was also great to play in the Champions League these last few months,” said goalkeeper Frederik Rönnow after the 2:3 (1:0) against Real Madrid on Tuesday evening in Berlin’s Olympic Stadium. “Maybe it’s good, I don’t know,” he said, pointing out that the “Irons” had also played successfully both internationally and nationally in recent years.
Rani Khedira was disillusioned. Conceding another late goal, like in the 89th minute against Real, “fits the competition and how we sold ourselves there. At times it was simply too naive to be able to survive,” stated the captain. The team made too many mistakes in the premier class, “perhaps they didn’t deserve it,” said Khedira.
The first “premier league” season for Köpenick, who were promoted to the Bundesliga in 2019, ended with just two points from six games. Union didn’t manage a win in Group C with Real, SSC Napoli and SC Braga. The Portuguese club secured the Europa League consolation prize in third place behind Madrid and Napoli.
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Union coach Bjelica on the Champions League exit: “A lot of bad luck too”
If they had won against the favorites from Madrid, Union would still have wintered internationally. “I would have liked to have continued to play in Europe,” said coach Nenad Bjelica. The 52-year-old Croatian has only held the position since the end of November after the end of Urs Fischer’s era. Last weekend, Union achieved their first win in a competitive game under Bjelica in 16 games and improved to 15th place in the Bundesliga.
In the Champions League, Bjelica was on the sidelines in two of six group games. His conclusion (quoted via “Kicker“): “We conceded a lot of late goals, against Braga, twice against Madrid. There is also a lot of bad luck.” Against the 14-time title winners Real, he saw the performances of his protégés as positive. “We showed that we are not that far away from their level. There were two very narrow defeats,” emphasized Bjelica.
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