By Sebastian Karkos
The Bundesliga is upside down! Total euphoria among Union fans. After the 1-0 win in Cologne, they sing: “Leader, leader, hey, hey.” And: “German champion is only the FCU.”
They celebrate in advance what becomes historical certainty a good two hours later: Freiburg’s 0-0 draw against Gladbach on September 11, 2022 made Eisern Union the Bundesliga leader for the first time after a full day of play.
Not Bayern, not RB Leipzig, not Dortmund – Union mentality is higher in the table than the million troops.
Rani Khedira before jumping to the top of the master chants for the first time: “It’s so beautiful. We’ve heard that over the last few weeks. That’s meant ironically.” Irony could soon become serious.
The number 1 in Germany is called Union – and the iron ones will never forget that! Perhaps this extremely strong Union will also be at the top at the end of the season.
Union has not gone bankrupt for 13 games across the season, winning four of the last five away games. Also in Cologne there are no problems for the invincible (in the league).
Jordan Siebatcheu misses a penalty Photo: City Press
Ex-Union legend and Cologne coach Steffen Baumgart: “I haven’t seen a team play as well as they played in the first half hour. We were inferior in every respect.”
Baumgart praises the work of the Union officials around coach Urs Fischer and his entourage: “It’s surprising that they are leaders. But not the basic development. The only thing that is a little surprising is how well the processes work, even though there has been a major upheaval.”
Cologne’s Luca Kilian (r) and Union’s Jordan fight for the ball Photo: dpa/picture-alliance
In Cologne, the initial phase is already memorable. Goalkeeper Lennart Grill, who replaces the ailing Frederik Rönnow (ankle MRI on Monday), says: “The first half hour was outstanding from us.”
The Irons take the lead with the first chance. The input from Sheraldo Becker deflects Cologne defender Hübers into the goal – 0:1 (3rd). Union can even cope with Jordan Siebatcheu’s miserably missed penalty (10′). After Becker’s shot into the short corner, Union cheers again (14′), but this scene is also checked: Becker is offside when the Trimmel shot is shot. No goal! Almost nothing happens after the break. Coach Fischer: “Compliments to my team. A deserved win.”
Also nice: Timo Baumgartl (after testicular cancer) is back in the Union squad after 145 days. The defender is no longer substituted. But being there on this historic day is everything!