Sven Michel’s emotional equalizer and the proven comeback qualities could not completely cover up the anger at 1. FC Union Berlin. The missed chances and carelessly conceded goals in the 3: 3 (1: 1) against Royale Union Saint-Gilloise voted trainers and professionals too discontented.
“You can’t invite a team like that,” said coach Urs Fischer after the first leg of the Europa League round of 16. What he meant were goals two and three for the Belgians.
Trimmel keeps team in balance
The 1:2 by Yorbe Vertessen (58th minute) was preceded by an unchallenged bad pass by captain Christopher Trimmel, at 2:3 by Victor Boniface (72nd) the Berliners countered far too openly. But the first goal by Boniface (28th) of the guests also contributed to the upset of the Swiss. “Out of nowhere actually you concede a goal, which we didn’t defend.” Nevertheless, his team have shown great morale. Josip Juranovic (42nd), Robin Knoche (69th) and in the end Michel (89th) equalized again and again for the Bundesliga soccer club and thus ensured a halfway conciliatory result.
The Belgian top club, still the only team that could win in the Alte Försterei this season, presented themselves as uncomfortable opponents as in the preliminary round. Nevertheless, there was more in it for the Köpenicker than a draw.
“Especially the second and third goals were individual mistakes. The second is clearly my fault. But we know how football is. That happens sometimes,” said captain Christopher Trimmel, who always wants to keep the team in emotional balance.
Praise from Urs Fischer
Defense chief Robin Knoche, who missed a hand penalty and only converted the margin, was more frustrated. “I don’t even know how to classify it yet,” said the goalscorer. “Individual mistakes before goals are conceded shouldn’t happen like that.”
The Berliners are encouraged by the fact that they have shown themselves to be significantly improved offensively and have had a significant increase in chances. “We were more precise today and that’s why we had more opportunities,” said Fischer. “I also thought it was good that the team found a mix and tried to find a playful solution.”
This speaks for the Berliners in the second leg in a week’s time at Lotto Park in Anderlecht (9 p.m. / RTL): The Irons won the second game of the group phase in Belgium. But Knoche didn’t have time for such little statistics games in the evening: “In the end, I don’t care what it looks like. The main thing is that we get on in the round.”
