The frustration sits deep at Union Berlin, the journey in the Conference League is over. On Sunday in Fürth, however, the Köpenickers can continue to work towards being in the European Cup again next year.
The body language of Max Kruse was not the best. Time and again, the 1st FC Union Berlin attacker indicated his dissatisfaction with gestures on the turf of Berlin’s Olympiastadion during the 1-1 draw against Slavia Prague In the last match of the group phase of the Europa Conference League, the 33-year-old veteran had several grievances – sometimes with his team-mates, perhaps also with himself.
It is true that Kruse’s goal to make it 1-1 had once again raised the hopes of the majority of the 5,000 spectators allowed under 2G-plus conditions. But the home victory needed to at least reach the play-off matches in February to reach the last 16 of the new competition did not come against the clever and disciplined Prague team.
Kruse stomped off the pitch in a state of disgust, complaining that his team had played too little football. After midnight, the frustration was not gone. But in his own four walls, the ex-national player immediately proclaimed a new goal for the season via Instagram. “Of course I’m disappointed that we unfortunately didn’t make it. We’ll have to attack again this year so that hopefully we’ll be back in the international places at the end of the season. Then it would definitely be an awesome thing,” said Kruse.
Coach Fischer is not backing away from his goal
At the moment, the Eisernen’s prospects of qualifying for the Conference League or even the Europa League again are not that bad. Union are currently sixth in the table. Coach Urs Fischer has also had his fun with the European appearances. But the Swiss remains conservative and continues to talk adamantly only about staying in the league. “Of course you get the desire for more. But we remain true to our path. First and foremost, the goal remains to stay in the league,” says Fischer.
Union can take the next “step” in this direction on Sunday at winless bottom side Greuther Fürth. In the national championship this season, Union is nowhere near as vulnerable as in the Conference League group stage. On international terrain, serious individual errors by defender Timo Baumgartl at home against Prague on Thursday, goalkeeper Andreas Luthe at home against Feyenoord Rotterdam (1:2) and defender Robin Knoche in Rotterdam (1:3) caused Union to fall behind.
The three sending-offs of Paul Jaeckel in Prague (1:3) and Christopher Trimmel and Cedric Teuchert in Berlin against Feyenoord were also uncharacteristic for the Hauptstätter. “I also believe that we paid a lesson in the group stage. At international level, you can’t afford to make mistakes like that. Those are experiences you have to take with you,” said Fischer. Next year, Union could do better.