1. FC Union played one of the biggest games in the club’s history in Amsterdam. The Iron Ones need not fear even the most well-known opponents. The players say that more clearly than the fans and the coach.
Anyone who saw Union Berlin against Eberswalde in the Oberliga in 2005 must have felt like they were in the wrong film for years. But the Europa League draw revealed that the Köpenickers were allowed to play away in Amsterdam. The 2,700 guest fans reacted with disbelief that the Irons played the game from the start. Only one suspected it, coach Urs Fischer. The Swiss knew before the match that Union had to be active in this game: “I don’t think 25 percent possession will be enough,” he said. And added: “I think we have to trust ourselves to find solutions with the ball under pressure.”
Strong Unioners miss victory at Ajax
In the first leg of the second round of the Europa League, 1. FC Union Berlin and Ajax Amsterdam drew 0-0. The Berlin guests played a strong away game, never let the Amsterdamers develop, but missed the well-deserved victory themselves.more
No goal scored
Admittedly, after a period of pressure in the first ten minutes, the Unioners withdrew. Then Ajax played first, but the Dutch didn’t have any chances to score. It was to stay that way for the entire game: After 90 minutes, the record champions had zero shots on goal. “The team did a great job,” Fischer praised, nothing was allowed. And yet he was not satisfied. His team should have scored, added the Swiss. And he wasn’t the only one saying that: “We had our chances, I think we had four and they had one at most,” central defender Danilho Doekhi quarreled. Union dominated the midfield. In the end, the Irons had 34 percent possession of the ball to determine the game.
Union is set in the present
Despite the 66 percent ball possession for Ajax, the defenders of the hosts were much more challenged. They tried to clear the ball 39 times, Union only tried to free themselves 27 times. Because the second balls in the center with the physicality of the midfield duo Aissa Laidouni and Morten Thorsby were usually won by Union. Even without a high percentage of ball possession, the iron players gained field superiority. In one of the biggest games in the club’s history against one of the most successful clubs in Europe, Union was the better team. Ajax is a myth, one of the most famous clubs in the world, but football matches take place in the present and currently 1. FC Union is one of the strongest teams in Bundesliga.
What you should know about Union’s Europa League opponents Ajax Amsterdam
1. FC Union is facing one of the biggest games in the club’s history. In the European Cup it’s against Ajax Amsterdam. The Dutch record champion shaped modern football and is a self-sustaining system. By Till Oppermannmore
Good performance has become a matter of course
That’s the only reason Union were able to sign Josip Juranovic, one of the best right-backs from the past World Cup, in the winter. No wonder he was annoyed by the draw after the Ajax game and said: “We can win against anyone.” As an example, he added the 2-1 away win in Leipzig. In the top game of the Bundesliga, 1. FC Union earned important points in the fight for the Champions League. For Juranovic that is probably a matter of course, after all he won the championship at each of his professional stations. His coach Fischer and all other Union club officials never tire of emphasizing how special being in the Bundesliga is for Union. But if you really want to know where Union stands this spring, you have to listen to the players.
New arrivals bring confidence
“We have the self-confidence,” says Juranovic. And with that self-confidence, a 0-0 draw at Ajax Amsterdam isn’t something the team could be satisfied with. Gradually, manager Oliver Ruhnert signs players who have already shown at the highest level that they can keep up. They bring a new spirit to the Alte Försterei. Only the best is good enough and nothing is unimaginable. No win at Ajax Amsterdam either. Because there wasn’t, the second leg becomes the final and that wouldn’t have been necessary.
Sheraldo Becker’s open account
For Union striker Sheraldo Becker, the away game at Ajax Amsterdam is a homecoming. After many years in his youth, he did not make the breakthrough. In the Union jersey he can settle an open score. By Till Oppermannmore
Not efficient enough
It was not for nothing that Fischer emphasized in advance: “In the end, it’s all about being efficient.” That’s exactly what Union failed to do. Morten Thorsby had the best chances of the capitals, but failed once with a volleyball from close range and another time at VAR. The supposed 1:0 was called back after a handball. If Union can do something better in the second leg in a week, then only the things that were already good: win duels, earn deals. If the defense of Doekhi, Robin Knoche and Diogo Leite is as good as in Amsterdam, you don’t have to worry about Ajax’s attacking game at least. And that is exactly the film that the Fischer-Elf is currently shooting week after week.
Broadcast: rbb24, 02/17/23, 4 p.m
