Ten points ahead with nine games to go: Union Berlin is reaching for the international hat-trick in the Bundesliga.
After the 2-0 win over Eintracht Frankfurt, another qualification for the European Cup is very likely, even the chances of the Champions League have increased for the new table third. “We want to play in Europe next year. In the end we’ll see what it’s enough for,” said Union goalkeeper Frederik Rönnow after the 14th win in the 25th Bundesliga game of the season.
After qualifying for the Conference League 2021 and the Europa League 2022, which ended 3-0 at the Belgian first division club Royale Union Saint-Gilloise last week for the Irons, coach Urs Fischer’s team is still on course for the premier class. However, Rönnow sees the ticket – no matter for which international competition – not booked for a long time.
Union have had a “great season” so far, “but there are still nine games in which we always have to give our best”. The goalkeeper, who has been in impressive form for weeks, contributed to the best and again destroyed the opponent’s top-class chances against Frankfurt.
Khedira: “Feels good”
It was also thanks to Rani Khedira that after the previous zero numbers in the league home games against Schalke and Cologne, the Union supporters were able to celebrate again in the sold-out stadium An der Alten Försterei with 22,012 spectators. He not only acted as substitute captain for Christopher Trimmel, who was ill, but also scored the groundbreaking 1-0 (53rd minute) after a corner by Niko Gießelmann.
The first goal of the midfield organizer for Union was one with an announcement: Khedira had previously been raised by colleagues at lunch with questions about his first goal.
“Actually, I first wanted to run towards the bank because Sven Michel teased me the most at lunch. Then I was pulled in the other direction and at some point I was below everyone. But it feels good,” said Khedira about his seventh overall Goal in 194 Bundesliga games that increased Union’s chances of qualifying for the third European Cup in a row. “The goal came at the right time and helped us,” said coach Fischer.
