By Matthew Koch
More top game is almost impossible! Union, leaders of the Bundesliga, have to play in the Europa League with Braga, number 2 in Portugal. Unfortunately, the game wasn’t that great for Union. 0:1 Union with 0 points third in group. So the dream of the knockout round is basically almost over.
The Irons lost their Europa League premiere a week ago 0-1 against St. Giloise in the Alte Försterei.
Union trainer Urs Fischer before the kick-off on RTL+ on the failed Euro premiere: “I made it happen with our sprints. 130 sprints is far from enough. Usually we’re hovering around 200. You have to spend that. We have to get to the limit.”
Two changes in the starting eleven after the 1-0 win in Cologne at the weekend: goalkeeper Frederik Rönnow is returning from injury and Tymoteusz Puchacz is on the left flank.
Union fans with pyros in Braga’s away block Photo: picture alliance / ASSOCIATED PR
Fischer about what he expects from his starting eleven: “This tireless, this disgusting being, that’s a requirement.”
It’s a little quiet at the start in Braga’s beautiful cliff-faced stadium. Only after 8 minutes are all the Berliners, who were financially supported by the club during the trip, inside and cheering on their team.
Best chance: Diogo Leite heads against the post after a corner (14′).
Union’s Rani Khedira on the heels of Braga’s Vitinha Photo: picture alliance / ASSOCIATED PR
At half-time it was 0-0 and Fischer was dissatisfied with his eleven despite scoring 4-1 on goal. Of course, after the defeat at the start, a win is needed.
At the beginning of the second half, Union’s block burned Bengalo red and Julian Ryerson shot just wide to the left from 18 meters (48′).
Urs Fischer on the sidelines. He doesn’t look really happy Photo: picture alliance / ASSOCIATED PR
Braga, who won the first group game 2-0 against Malmö, take control of the game.
Then the shock: misunderstanding in midfield, Rönnow fends off a 25-metre shot by André Horta to the side. but Vitinha hit the rebound from three meters to make it 1-0 for Braga.
On October 6th we go to Malmo. Then a victory is needed if something is to go for Union in Europe.