1-1 in Braga: Bjelica’s coaching debut with Union Berlin ends disappointingly

Union Berlin only has theoretical chances of remaining in international business. In the penultimate game of the Champions League group stage at Sporting Braga, the Köpenick team couldn’t get more than a 1-1 (1-0) draw, even though the guests from Berlin played in the majority for over 60 minutes: Sikou Niakaté was shown a red card after half an hour sent off. Robin Gosens took the lead for Berlin (42nd minute), Alvaro Djalo equalized for Braga (51st).

Even under debuting coach Nenad Bjelica, Union Berlin continued its negative streak and is now 16 games without a win.

Union remains bottom of the table before the last premier class group game and only theoretically has a chance of third place with a home win against Real Madrid (December 12th), which entitles them to take part in the Euro League.

While under long-time Union coach Urs Fischer, three central defenders in defense were still considered the norm, flanked by two offensive-oriented full-backs, the new coach Nenad Bjelica gave the formation his own signature by relying on a back four. As left- and right-back, the Croatian relied on defensive players Jerome Roussillon and Josip Juranovic initially sat on the bench in the 1-1 draw against Augsburg.

The northern Portuguese were missing the injured outside attacker Armindo Bruma on the other side First leg against Union Berlin was one of the strongest and deprived Köpenick of their first victory in the premier class with two goals.

It took a quarter of an hour, in which the home team had increasingly gained control of the pitch, until Union keeper Frederik Rönnow had to intervene in dire need for the first time: Ricardo Horta placed the ball sharply from the left side into the six-yard box, where Simon Banza was caught by the goalkeeper who stormed out The annoying Roussillon was just able to prevent him from finishing well.

In the 28th minute it was Alvaro Djalo who received a perfect cross to the head and rose unchallenged, but put the ball just past the goal to the right. At this point, the home team had achieved a ball possession rate of 65 percent.

But a red card against Sikou Niakaté turned everything upside down. The 24-year-old central defender hit Union player Kevon Behrens with his open sole near the ankle, which, according to the video images, referee Clément Turpin acknowledged by icing the field.

While the away team was initially unable to convert their superiority into dangerous scenes, Gosens provided relief shortly before the half-time whistle. The national player took a pass from his highly advanced teammate Roussillon in the penalty area on the left side of the penalty area and shot powerfully into the far corner in a flowing movement to take the lead (42′).

Shortly before going into the locker room, bench player Leonardo Bonucci received a yellow card for complaining after a foul on Knoche – it was already the sixth card that referee Turpin pulled out. This was a serious warning for the Italian: he will miss the final group game against Real Madrid (December 12th).

The Portuguese came out of the locker room more lively in the second half. After a bad pass from Knoches, Ricardo Horta played the ball from the left side into the path of Alvaro Djalo, who had plenty of time to look for the ideal entry point in the opponent’s goal. Rönnow even got to the ball, but couldn’t really prevent the equalizer (51′).

In the following minutes, the home team took control of the game and scored several goals. There was no longer any sign of Union building up the game in an orderly manner, let alone scoring goals.

In the final phase the game became increasingly flat, Braga were satisfied with the point, while the guests from Berlin were no longer able to gain control of the game.

Broadcast: rbb24, November 29, 2023, 10 p.m