Union Berlin narrowly missed a small miracle on its debut in the Champions League: record winners Real Madrid only managed a 1-0 win against the “Iron” at the Bernabeu on Wednesday (September 20th, 2023) deep into stoppage time.
Match winner Jude Bellingham was extremely relieved at the end: “We were patient. We knew we would have chances until the end.”
Berlin goalkeeper Frederik Rönnow, who made numerous brilliant saves, was torn: “If it’s 0-0 at the Bernabeu in the 90th minute and you concede a goal like that – then it’s a bit sad. But it was a very good performance from us, we played with courage and self-confidence. That’s why bitter, but we can also be proud.”
Immediately goal scenes on both sides
It was a game without any start-up time – events immediately came to a head. Not even a minute had been played when Union midfielder Lucas Tousart had already received a yellow card for a tactical foul on Luka Modric. Then both teams began to attack the opponent’s goal.
Union refreshingly disrespectful
First Kevin Behrens had Antonio Rüdiger block him when he took a direct pass from a cross from Sheraldo Becker (2nd), then Joselu narrowly failed twice on the other side with his headers (3rd and 6th). However, Union held back in a refreshingly disrespectful manner and again had the next opportunity through Behrens: The national team candidate aimed his header a little too high in the 10th minute.
Only after this wild phase did both teams take a break. Union retreated a little further, but defended with great concentration near the penalty area with defensive leader Leonardo Bonucci. After 25 minutes, the “Iron” once again set a remarkable offensive accent, but after a precise cross from Alex Kral, Aissa Laidouni narrowly missed the artistic side kick and thus a possible dream goal.
Post saves from Rodrygo chance
With continued excellent defense, Union carried the score into the break with a zero number, but after the restart Real got serious. In the 52nd minute, Rönnow first saved against Rodrygo with full use of his body and head, then seconds later the ball crashed into the aluminum: Rodrygo hit the right post again with a shot while falling.
In this phase, the Köpenickers couldn’t find any relief at all, but Rönnow, some defensive leg and the post again were the salvation again and again: Joselu in the 54th minute with a shot, Joselu again with a header on the post (63rd) and the strong Modric with a long-range shot – they all could or should have given Real the lead, but the bulwark held.
The defensive battle never ended
Union coach Urs Fischer tried to provide some relief through gestures from the sidelines and then through various substitutions, but the defensive battle never ended. Joselu again in the 74th minute (Bonucci made a pass in between) and seven minutes before the end (his volley missed the post by centimeters) made the Berliners suffer, but simply didn’t fall behind.
In the end, the Madrilenians almost seemed to be desperate – before Jude Bellingham redeemed them with a billiards goal in the fourth minute of added time.