Berlin (dpa) – 1. FC Union Berlin celebrated an important home win in the race for a place in the European Cup. The Köpenicker prevailed on Friday evening at the start of the 28th match day 1-0 (0-0) against 1. FC Köln.
Thanks to the second win in eight games since Max Kruse’s departure, the Berliners have overtaken the Rhinelanders (40) in the Bundesliga table with 41 points. Top scorer Taiwo Awoniyi made the Union victory perfect in the 49th minute with his twelfth goal of the season. In front of 22,012 spectators in the sold-out stadium at the Alte Försterei, Cologne had to do without their sick striker Anthony Modeste, among others.
Battle and passion shaped the game
Evening game, floodlights, and finally a full house again. Since the derby win against Hertha on November 20th, the Irons have had to wait for their special stadium experience due to the corona restrictions that have been lifted in Berlin since Friday. It was correspondingly atmospheric, including pyrotechnics and frenetic support.
And the people from Köpenick almost gave their fans a dream start. But after a fine pass from Sheraldo Becker after 58 seconds, Awoniyi missed the ball, otherwise the Nigerian would have been through freely. The game didn’t give up many chances. Becker from a tight angle (25′) and Rani Khedira with a long-range shot next to the goal (35′) were Berlin’s best actions in the first half.
Fight and passion shaped the game, which FC coach Baumgart – of course in t shirt at temperatures just above freezing – set an example again on the sidelines. It was a special game for the popular ex-Unioner, after all his family still lives in Köpenick. His Cologne team, however, lacked the penetrating power. The short-term absence of the sick striker Anthony Modeste made itself felt, FC acted much too harmless. Jonas Hector’s best chance also came about by chance (39′).
And it was Hector who put his team behind. After a nasty back pass to Awoniyi’s feet, the striker gratefully accepted the gift and scored the opener. With his twelfth goal of the season, he equaled the Bundesliga club record set by current Cologne player Sebastian Andersson from the 2019/20 season. The Swede in the FC jersey was lost at his old place of work. But there was no more rebellion from his colleagues either, so the eighth defeat of the season was inevitable.