Union Berlin took a point off league leaders FC Bayern Munich with a 1:1 draw. Defensively, the Irons did almost everything right. However, playing with the ball remains the main problem to be solved.
All of a sudden, the stadium at the Alte Försterei turned into a madhouse when Bayern’s keeper Jonas Urbig made a catastrophic mistake and Joker Benedict Hollerbach easily pushed in the 1:1. All of a sudden, the noise level shot up, the Union Berlin fans were hugging each other and could hardly believe their eyes that their team had managed to get the better of the German record champions and league leaders. The good mood remained high until the kick-off because the Irons actually managed to hold out for the draw.
This was possible because the team of coach Steffen Baumgart, who had to reel off his meters in the stands due to his yellow suspension, defended strongly. The home side played in a 3-3-2-2 system, as under club legend Urs Fischer, which transitioned into a 5-4-1 when retreating.
The spaces around the box were closed down, the center was tight, so Bayern’s attacks resembled a handball game. Only with the marginal difference that the guests couldn’t find any open spaces and could only rarely advance past the last line of defense in Berlin.
Union too hectic after winning the ball
“Bayern likes to play very wide on the wing and then they always have deep runs in it. We handled it so that I didn’t rush out, but rather the midfielders took over so that I could pick up the deep runs,” explained Union captain Christopher Trimmel.
On the other hand, Berlin could only provide little relief, because after winning the ball, the passes too often landed in no man’s land. “We were too restless with the ball, we did not often manage to establish the connection consistently enough. As a result, Andrej Ilic was often alone in front. We have to address this, it won’t always work out,” said Trimmel.
The capital city team took four points from the last two games, so the form curve is clearly pointing upwards. “The mentality is right. The team has found itself to a certain extent, they harmonize better together,” emphasized the captain. It all feels better now, not only in training but also in games. “Everything is a bit smoother, the coordination is better, the communication is better.”
Trimmel is happy about the international break
With the tailwind, the international break actually comes at an inconvenient time, or so you would think. But not for the 38-year-old Austrian. ”It’s good, definitely. We all need it. For me, it’s better to be able to take a breather now,” Trimmel admitted frankly. According to the right-back, the ‘hot phase’ in the Bundesliga will come after the break. ‘It can happen so quickly and suddenly you’re behind. We can’t let up now and I think everyone understands that.’
At least the last two appearances in Frankfurt (2:1) and now against Bayern Munich give the impression that Union Berlin has now finally accepted the relegation battle.
