By Sebastian Karkos
Is it getting tight now? The Irons lose 0-1 in Augsburg and suddenly have to tremble for the Champions League. Because Leipzig wins in Freiburg (1-0), Union is only fourth, level on points with Freiburg – the next opponent on Saturday.
Midfielder Rani Khedira disappointed: “An unnecessary defeat. The difference was the efficiency.” Coach Urs Fischer: “It sucks today.” It wasn’t very royal.
Bitter: Union traveled to the Tegernsee for a short training camp during the week and wanted to commit to reaching the premier class for the first time. Manager Oliver Ruhnert before the game on “Sky”: “Outstanding hotel, outstanding conditions. We do it every year, just get out somewhere. And this year we chose Tegernsee for the Augsburg connection. It was great for the boys.” But didn’t bring any points…
Augsburg’s Dion Drena Beljo (l) cheers after his goal to make it 1-0 against Union Photo: Daniel Löb/dpa
Striker Kevin Behrens: “In retrospect, you can say it was a shitty journey. But we enjoyed the time there, laughed a lot, it was fun with the group. Unfortunately, we lost in the end.”
Before the break, the Irons come dangerously in front of the Augsburg goal one time or another. Behrens misses twice with his head (16th/22nd).
But: FCA has the greatest chance. Rönnow doesn’t hit the ball fast enough, Engels intervenes and the ball lands on Beljo, whose direct shot just misses the goal (43′). lucky!
Union’s Kevin Behrens jumps higher than Augsburg’s Mads Pedersen and Elvis Rexhbecaj Photo: Christof STACHE / AFP
Beljo did better in the second half: The Croatian scored a volley from eight yards out after a Vargas cross to make it 1-0 (53′). Paul Jaeckel is too far away from his opponent. It remains the hit of the day.
In the end, four men attacked with Sheraldo Becker and the substitutes Jordan Siebatcheu, Jamie Leweling and Sven Michel – but the Berliners didn’t get a real chance anymore.
Crazy: Augsburg remains the feared opponent for Union. There is no other current Bundesliga club where the Swabians have such a good record as against the Irons: three wins, three draws and only one defeat in seven duels. And with this victory they suddenly make the iron tremble for the hoped-for participation in the premier class…