After nine defeats in a row, some professionals from Bundesliga soccer team 1. FC Union Berlin are letting out their frustration. But before the important game at Werder Bremen on Saturday (3:30 p.m./Sky), the leaders are supporting coach Urs Fischer. Two players sound conciliatory tones on social networks.
Everything was actually ready for the turning point at the troubled 1. FC Union Berlin. In front of more than 72,000 people in the Berlin Olympic Stadium, the series of defeats should have finally ended with a strong performance against the Italian champions SSC Napoli. Instead, it scored the next big hit.
“When I see what the team put in, how passionately they played, it’s really brutal,” said coach Urs Fischer after the 0-1 (0-0) – the ninth defeat in a row. On Saturday in the Bundesliga against Werder Bremen (3:30 p.m./Sky) there is a lot of pressure on the team to succeed – and also on their coach.
Robin Gosens lay on the pitch after the game as if knocked out, other players vented their frustration in different ways. David Fofana refused to shake Fischer’s hand after he was substituted – and later apologized on Instagram.
Captain Christopher Trimmel did not want to exaggerate the incident. “Situations like this with David also happen in football,” said the Austrian. There are no significant discrepancies in the cabin.
Union reservist Bonucci leads the team
Italy’s European champion Leonardo Bonucci, who has been on the bench since Robin Knoche’s return, chose the route via Italian media. During the game, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reported that the 36-year-old was extremely dissatisfied and wanted to talk to Fischer about his situation. “Of course he is dissatisfied. I hope that all my players really want to play,” said the coach.
Bonucci also sent a conciliatory message on social media: “First of all the team!” (German: The team first), he wrote on Instagram about a picture of his teammates in a circle.
The defeat against Naples doesn’t necessarily come as a surprise. Now it is painful, but the Köpenickers interpreted it as an encouragement. “If we continue like this, for me it is only a matter of time before we win again. If you perform like this against world-class teams like Naples, we will get the points again at some point,” said Trimmel.
Union played courageously, had the better chances and hardly let anything happen. “We left our hearts on the pitch. We brought all the virtues that characterize us onto the pitch,” said midfielder Rani Khedira on “DAZN”.
But the problems of the last few weeks were also there: too often promising counterattack opportunities fell victim to inaccuracy. In the decisive 0-1, the Berliners cleared the ball poorly and then couldn’t get into the duels.
Union Berlin: Leaders strengthen Urs Fischer
After the transfer offensive in the summer, the Iron Men have more egos to balance. The expectations have increased significantly, at least from the outside, and nobody at Union will want to be satisfied with a season of relegation battle after the notable reinforcements to the squad.
His leading players once again supported Fischer. The Swiss is still reaching the team, emphasized Trimmel: “You can see it. We played a good game. You can see it in the way.” The captain also explained: “It’s important for us that we finally get into the Bundesliga.” After all, that is the club’s core business.
Rani Khedira also praised Coach Fischer: “He always stayed with himself, always humble. He is always objective in his analysis.” It doesn’t help to sugarcoat the situation. “You have to work, shut up and put it on the pitch.”
But even though Fischer may have more credit than almost all other Bundesliga coaches, he himself repeatedly uses the term football as a sport for results. If there were further failures, he might even be able to draw the consequences more quickly than those responsible.
“We really try to stay calm within the club,” said Fischer. “It’s logical that there are a lot of questions coming from outside, that it’s picking up a certain dynamic. I can deal with that.”