After a very important last-minute win, Union Berlin can seriously dream of the knockout stages of the Europa League again.
The Bundesliga leaders won 1-0 (0-0) against Swedish club Malmö FF on Thursday with a late goal. With six points now, the Irons are back on track with two remaining games in Group D.
Robin Knoche (89th, penalty kick after video evidence) shot Union to the second preliminary round success after there had been two defeats at the start. Malmo’s Emmanuel Lomotey saw red for gross foul play (90th).
This means that Union can no longer be dislodged from third place in its group in continental competition and will certainly be in the knockout phase of the Conference League in February. Sporting Braga or Saint-Gilloise still have to be overtaken to stay in the Europa League.
“It definitely feels incredible that you’ve achieved the first goal,” said Rani Khedira on “NITRO”: “Let’s see what’s possible against Braga. We just want to continue experiencing European games at the Alte Försterei.”
In the Bundesliga, the Irons face the summit meeting against fourth-placed Borussia Dortmund on Sunday.
Union Berlin only mandatory in the final phase
It was initially quiet in the An der Alten Försterei stadium after the first leg was about to be canceled due to fan riots.
Both teams neutralized each other, especially in midfield. Union captain Christopher Trimmel (25th) tested Malmö’s goalkeeper Ismael Diawara when the ball came back to him via Rani Khedira after a corner – but the keeper parried the attempt from 15 meters. Otherwise, Union lacked accuracy in attacking play.
Union also struggled after the break and did not play their opportunities consistently enough, a goal by Sheraldo Becker (58th) did not count because of offside.
Because there was still little coming from Malmö, the hosts slowly increased the number of strokes. When the Swedes didn’t get the ball cleared properly in the penalty area, Khedira (65′) took aim from behind and hit the left post with his hopping shot. Just a minute later, Jordan Siebatcheu failed to hit Diawara with a heel.