Union Berlin suffered the next setback in the Bundesliga a few days after losing the lead in the table, but remains difficult to beat at home.
In the last home game of the year, the Berliners drew 2-2 (2-2) from FC Augsburg in the sold-out An der Alten Försterei stadium. Sheraldo Becker (7th minute) and Kevin Behrens (22nd) put the Irons in the lead twice in the eventful first half in front of 22,012 spectators. Florian Niederlechner answered for the guests (8th/39th).
“Union did well, we held up well. In the end we’re happy with the draw,” said Niederlechner on “Sky”: “In the second half they still had a few chances, we almost didn’t have any.”
The Berliners have now been unbeaten in 13 league games at home. The team jumped to second place in the table, but continued to lose ground to leaders FC Bayern Munich. In the last game before the World Cup break, the Berliners will play their competitor SC Freiburg on Sunday (5:30 p.m. / DAZN).
Augsburg slips
For the Fuggerstadt it was the sixth game in a row without a win in the league. Enrico Maassen’s team is still close to the relegation zone in the table and slipped down to 14th place. On Saturday (3.30 p.m. / Sky) VfL Bochum comes to Augsburg.
After the disappointing performance in Leverkusen, Fischer had asked for a different appearance from his professionals. The Augsburgers had often started furiously in the last few games. A thrilling game quickly developed in the floodlights of Köpenick, with many chances for both teams.
It all started with Becker, who scored again after six league games without a goal. After winning the ball, ex-Augsburg player Rani Khedira played a pass behind the defensive line. Union’s former promotion hero and current FCA keeper Rafal Gikiewicz misjudged running out. Becker rounded him without any problems and shot the ball in from a tight angle.
Union presses in vain
The Augsburgers answered immediately. A poorly cleared throw-in by Union landed at Niederlechner and the ball shortly afterwards in the right corner. As a result, the hosts had more of the game again and were particularly dangerous from crosses.
Fischer once again took advantage of the breadth of his squad: Behrens – both new in the starting eleven – headed in a free kick from Niko Gießelmann unhindered. But again Niederlechner proved his goal instinct. He acrobatically shot the rebound of a crossbar shot by Ermedin Demirovic into the net.
After the break, the Berliners pressed. Gießelmann hit the bar with a free kick from a central position (48′). Behrens hit the post after a counterattack with a header (68th). The FCA hardly came dangerously in front of the hosts’ goal. Instead, substitute Genki Haraguchi Gikiewicz tested again with a long-range shot (86′). But it was no longer enough for the Berliners to win.