From BZ/dpa
He could hardly get the grin off his face. András Schäfers is back at Union Berlin. The suffering was over. The timing is perfect.
The feelings of happiness didn’t want to end at first Andras Schäfer. He had to take a break for a total of months, first a metatarsal fracture, then two missions after healed and more problems with one foot. “Hopefully it goes well,” was what went through his head, emphasized coach Urs Fischer.
It went well. And how. Schäfer celebrated his comeback at 1. FC Union Berlin in the intense 0-0 draw against Bayer 04 Leverkusen. Just in time for the last four games of the season and reaching the Champions League for the first time. “Disgusting style of play, winning the ball, initiating switching actions,” said defender Robin Knoche on Saturday, describing the qualities that the Hungarian international brings with him.
impetus
How much Schäfer had longed for this day became more than clear, and only seconds after he had entered the square to the thunderous applause and loud cheers of the fans in the sold-out Alte Försterei. With wild, furious determination, he conquered the ball in his midfield area. These are moments that can give a team the decisive impetus in the games that Union are now on their way to the European championship.
Robin Knoche knows how important Andras Schäfer can still be in the final sprint Photo: picture alliance / ASSOCIATED PRESS
“He’s a very important player for us,” emphasized Knoche. “It’s so good to be back,” said Schäfer, writing on Twitter: “Your welcome was incredible. I still have goosebumps. Love you Unionians.”
In January last year, the Union brought the central midfielder, Schäfer came from Dunajska Streda from Slovakia. In the following league games he was used once in the starting XI, but also struggled with an injury or dropped out due to a corona infection.
He was becoming more of a fixture this season – until his injury in the Europa League game at Union Saint-Gilloise in Belgium on 3 November. The return attempt at the end of January with a six-minute mission against Werder Bremen and halftime in the capital derby against Hertha BSC ended quickly.
Union head coach Urs Fischer is hoping for Andras Schäfer in the last four games Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Marius Becker
“He repeatedly indicated in training that he was actually ready for the task,” said the coach fisherman now after the recent comeback. Schäfer, who during his first long break even received a visit to the forester’s office from Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban, is certainly still missing the rhythm. But he does believe “that we can use András for the last four games”.
After the goalless draw, the Unioners, who have not been defeated in the Bundesliga for 21 home games, are still in third place, but SC Freiburg have caught up on points, RB Leipzig have come up to two points. In Augsburg, at home against Freiburg, away against Hoffenheim and on the last day of the game in the Köpenicker fortress against Bremen – that’s what the rest of the Ironman program looks like. And Schäfer is really looking forward to it.