After five defeats in a row, Union Berlin is under pressure. The turnaround should succeed at the premier class home premiere in the Olympic Stadium.
70,000 fans in the Olympic Stadium, a Champions League night for the history books – and the urgently needed turnaround in the results crisis?
Before Union Berlin’s historic home premiere in the premier class, the bitter series of defeats is depressing the mood. But after five defeats in a row, the next highlight game also offers a huge opportunity.
“Every defeat hurts twice as much. It’s also important to get a sense of success again,” said coach Urs Fischer before the second group game against Sporting Braga on Tuesday (6:45 p.m.).
Managing director Oliver Ruhnert also underlined the importance of the first home game on Europe’s biggest stage, which Union is playing in the stadium of city rivals Hertha BSC.
“For me it’s unbelievable that over 70,000 people are watching our game against Sporting Braga in the Olympic Stadium,” said Ruhnert on “Bild TV”: “It gives me a little goosebumps. That’s crazy for Union.”
After qualifying for the premier class, Union decided to play in the Olympic Stadium in order to attract as many fans as possible. The Alte Försterei, where Union played in the Europa League last season, can only accommodate 22,012 visitors.
Top transfers are not yet a success at Union Berlin
And given the current downturn, Berliners can use all the support they can get. Not only have the Unioners recently lost five times in a row, they are also under pressure in the Champions League after the unfortunate 0-1 loss at Real Madrid. If they want to progress in Group C, in which SSC Napoli is also waiting, they will definitely have to earn points in the home games.
But you usually need goals to score points. The Berliners have not scored in any of the last three competitive games; Fischer’s team recently exploited their chances in a 0-1 defeat at Bundesliga promoted team 1. FC Heidenheim on Saturday.
“Now everything is coming together. Balls that would otherwise go in hit the inside post, then the opponent scores goals on Sunday. A mixture of many things means that we are not so successful,” said Ruhnert.
Despite star newcomers like Robin Gosens, Kevin Volland and Leonardo Bonucci, things aren’t going well. Also because important pillars Rani Khedira and Robin Knoche are still missing injured.
According to Ruhnert, a change requires “reliable players,” but instead, due to the injuries, this is now “being passed on to the players who have recently joined.” And so far the wheels don’t mesh properly.
Ruhnert also couldn’t rule out the possibility that the double burden played a role, even though Union is already in its third year of international travel. Champions League is just something different.
“Perhaps crucial percentages will be lost,” said Ruhnert, “although that shouldn’t actually be the case.” And the tasks don’t get any easier. Before the pleasant international break, runner-up Borussia Dortmund awaits on Saturday (3:30 p.m.).