2:3 against Braga – Union Berlin loses their home debut in the Champions League after a 2-0 lead
IMAGO / Beautiful Sports
Audio: Tabea Kunze, rbb24 Inforadio | Image: IMAGO / Beautiful Sports
The Union Berlin footballers also lost their first Champions League home game. In the sold-out and atmospheric Olympic Stadium, the Köpenick team lost a 2-0 lead in their 2-3 defeat against Braga.
Sheraldo Becker goes down as the first Champions League goalscorer in Union’s club history with a brace
As in Madrid, Union’s defeat was only sealed in the 94th minute. The bitter defeat in the last minute is the sixth in a row for Union
Bild: IMAGO/Nordphoto
Strong atmosphere in the Olympic Stadium
Right from the start of the game its special character was clearly noticeable. Around 74,000 spectators created an impressive backdrop in the sold-out Olympic Stadium, which was, for once, resplendent in Union red instead of Hertha blue. Some of the Union fans did express criticism of Uefa’s stadium requirements with several banners in the opposite direction – but not without loudly supporting their team from the stands.
It got particularly loud in the Olympic Stadium after less than four minutes of play when Union’s Robin Gosens scored what was supposed to be 1-0 for the hosts. As part of a quick and determined counterattack on the right wing, Sheraldo Becker hit a sharp cross into the penalty area. Janik Haberer initially missed the opportunity to finish the ball before Gosens only had to push in the resulting rebound. The almost frenetic cheering among the Union fans only lasted for a short time. A VAR check revealed that Sheraldo Becker was offside when the counterattack described occurred. So it stayed 0-0 for the time being.
Sheraldo Becker towers over
However, a fast-paced game then developed with many scoring chances. Union goalkeeper Frederik Rönnow had to intervene for the first time in a dangerous Braga free kick (14th minute), before Kevin Behrens let a promising Union counterattack fizzle out without finishing or passing (19th).
Overall, the guests from Braga constantly tried to play their dangerous offensive game, but revealed glaring gaps in their defensive transition game. This was also the case when, in the 30th minute, after winning the ball, a single pass from Alex Kral to Becker was enough to eliminate Braga’s entire back line. Becker marched down the right wing, decided against a pass to Behrens, who was running with him, and converted coldly through the legs of Braga goalkeeper Matheus Magalhaes. It was the first ever Champions League goal for both Becker himself and 1. FC Union.
The second one didn’t take long to arrive: seven minutes and a good Portuguese chance (Bruma, 33′) later, Becker caused the Olympic Stadium to shake again. After a long ball from Danilho Doekhi and a header from Lucas Tousart, Becker again had a clear path to the goal in the middle and used this opportunity to shoot a powerful shot from the top left into the goal and take the 2-0 lead.
However, the visitors from Braga, who were incredibly aggressive offensively, were hardly impressed by this goal. On the contrary: In the 41st minute, Niakate used a rebound after Unions Rönnow’s uncertainty to make it 2-1. Shortly afterwards we went to the dressing rooms for half-time.
Sheraldo Becker celebrates the first goal in Union’s Champions League history | Image: IMAGO/RHR photo
Defeat despite the final spurt
Back from this, Sporting took control of the game after a few minutes. The Portuguese now presented themselves even more offensively than before and promptly demonstrated their set-piece qualities. Bruma was the final stop of a good corner kick variant 27 meters from the goal: Braga’s striker prepared the ball and then sank it powerfully and accurately into the top right corner – a dream goal to equalize 2-2.
But even Union was only noticeably impressed by this for a short time. A balanced game developed with a lot of intensity and chances on both sides. Substitute Kevin Volland had Union’s best opportunity in a long time after 70 minutes: after a nice cross from Becker, he fired his shot straight at Braga goalkeeper Magalhaes. The busy and strong-playing Becker himself narrowly missed taking the Union lead again shortly afterwards.
Even after that, Union was not satisfied with the draw. The Berliners clearly regained control of the game in the final quarter of an hour and created several chances to score, some of them good. Union just couldn’t use it. So there was already déjà vu in only the second Champions League game: Braga’s Andre Castro – like Jude Bellingham for Real Madrid two weeks ago – overcame Union’s Rönnow in the fourth minute of stoppage time. Castro’s goal to make it 2-3 sealed a bitter defeat for 1. FC Union.
The voices for the game
Union coach Urs Fischer: “A very bitter defeat. You ask yourself: ‘How many blows can you take?’ But even after this blow you have to get up again. It was a very good first 35 minutes with numerous opportunities. That 2-0 was really deserved. Then just before the break a standard, shortly after the break a standard, and then it’s 2-2. It took a moment, but my team reacted well and got the game back under control. I’ve seen three 100% opportunities to lead, and then you take another one. […] Disappointment is a good thing. But I can’t be mad at my team after this performance.”
Defender Danilho Doekhi: “A really bitter defeat that symbolizes our current situation quite well. We started the game well and scored two great goals. The goals we got were a bit crazy, but we had our chances the 3:2. […] It was the first home game in a stadium like this with our fans. It was a great Champions League atmosphere, with an incredible number of our fans who stood behind us even in tough phases like this.”
Midfielder Janik Haberer: “Of course we are empty. We played a very good first half, only to concede a cheap goal. Then we come out of the locker room well, actually have to add more, but we get another Sunday shot into the crease. That does something to you. You can tell that we threw everything into it, tried everything. But again we don’t take the lead, we get the next shot from 25 meters. We’ve got the worm in it right now, but we don’t give up, we keep going . But of course it eats away at you.”
The game in the live ticker
Broadcast: rbb24, October 3rd, 2023, 6 p.m
2023-10-03 19:34:37
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