Union Berlin experienced a disappointing debut in the Europa League with the home defeat against Saint-Gilloise.
On Thursday evening (September 8th, 2022), the Berliners lost 0-1 against Belgian runners-up Royale Union Saint-Gilloise in front of 21,500 spectators. The first European Cup appearance in the more than 100-year-old stadium was an unexpected mood damper, not least due to a dismissal for Sven Michel (90 + 5).
Union harmless in attack
Five days after the 1-1 draw against the German champions Bayern Munich, the Irons, who were still unbeaten in the Bundesliga, had a hard time against the well-stocked outsider for a long time. Senne Lynen (39th) shot Saint-Gilloise to victory with his goal. Despite the constant support from the ranks, Union acted far too harmlessly for long stretches.
Union’s Christopher Trimmel had previously warned of a possible “nasty surprise” despite the supposedly feasible group with Sporting Braga and Malmö FF as other opponents. The hosts got off to a correspondingly committed start. But the long balls into the top rarely posed any major problems for the guests around ex-Mainzer Jose Rodriguez.
It became dangerous for the first time after 18 minutes when a shot by Kevin Behrens was deflected. Union struggled on the wet lawn – and was punished by efficient guests: Lynen coldly converted a counterattack to a flattering 0:1.
Saint-Gilloise more dangerous in the second round too
After the break, only the Belgians played at first. When Union keeper Frederik Rönnow underwent a cross, there was not much missing to 0:2. The hosts were slow to process the deficit, Behrens aimed too imprecisely (56th). Union rarely found playful solutions and instead often tried the crowbar. Saint-Gilloise stood low and defended passionately.