Timo Baumgartl had to laugh heartily at this slip of the tongue. The Union Berlin defender was asked how it felt to have won against the leaders after the 2-0 win over Borussia Dortmund. “Uh, front runner?” Baumgartl slipped out as an answer. Some things you just have to get used to. But of course, the front runner in the Bundesliga is not BVB. This is also after the tenth matchday and thus half the season for Union Berlin – and the league admires the iron for it.
“Union is doing excellently. You don’t have to pretend that it’s mediocrity. First after ten matchdays,” said defeated Dortmund defender Mats Hummels. And Dortmund’s coach Edin Terzic said in his analysis of the invincible opponent on Sunday evening thanks to sophisticated and perfected tactics: “It’s what makes top teams. Everyone knows what they’re doing and nobody can prevent it.”
Fischer, the sober Swiss
top team? With this assessment, Union coach Urs Fischer would have noticed again critically, regardless of the table rank. top team? champion candidate? high flyer? All these current titles are still too much for the sober Swiss. But the basis for his argument that the 40-point mark and staying in the class are still the goal is getting thinner with 23 points after ten match days.
A journalist who mainly deals with BVB actually dared to ask the question about the title chances after the renewed demonstration of football strength. Fischer’s clear reply: “We set a goal at the beginning of this season that we would get this 40-point mark. Now we won’t change our goals after 23 points. That’s logical to me,” the Swiss made his rather sober point of view clear again.
In general, his team is by no means the best German football team, regardless of the table, said Fischer and provided current facts. 29 percent ball possession against Dortmund. “It has to get better,” said Fischer. 68 percent pass rate. “It has to be more precise,” he demanded. With meticulousness or even pedantism, he made Union what it is. An unconventional top team.
“It’s crazy, it’s actually unbelievable”
It’s not as if Fischer isn’t standing in amazement in front of this Köpenick football fairy tale. “It’s a great snapshot. 23 points after ten games. It’s crazy, it’s actually unbelievable,” said the 56-year-old. But: 40 points remain 40 points. Even if you have only lost one of ten games, have not conceded a goal for four games nationally and internationally and only conceded six goals in total in the Bundesliga. Basta.
Fischer has other thoughts anyway. Because on Wednesday (8.45 p.m. / Sky) the second division team 1. FC Heidenheim will come to the DFB Cup game in the stadium at the Alte Försterei. Heidenheim, that’s the unshakable Fischer logic, will be a tough opponent like any opponent. “We will also have to push ourselves to the limit on Wednesday in order to advance to the next round,” said the Union coach.
