17th matchday
Union Berlin scored 0-0 in Freiburg on Vogt’s debut
Coming to his debut for Union Berlin: Kevin Vogt. photo
© Tom Weller/dpa
The start after the winter break ends goalless between SC Freiburg and 1. FC Union Berlin. A new addition in the relegation battle of the Bundesliga is gaining trust from the guests.
1. FC Union Berlin, which is in danger of relegation, has the new hopeful’s debut Kevin Vogt missed his first away win since the end of August. At the start of the new football year, the Berliners fought to a 0-0 draw against the dominant SC Freiburg and, after six defeats abroad, regained a point.
However, the Berliners were unable to move away from the relegation zone of the Bundesliga and remain in 15th place in the table in their weakest first division season. Next Friday is the important duel against relegation rivals FSV Mainz 05, before the Köpenickers have to play a catch-up game against German soccer record champions FC Bayern.
In front of 33,800 spectators, Freiburg did not use their superiority to score goals. Three and a half weeks after the messed up finish in Heidenheim before Christmas (2:3), the SC had to be content with one point.
Vogt was there right from the start
Union coach Nenad Bjelica surprised everyone by bringing in new defensive signing Kevin Vogt from the start just two days after his move to the capital. The veteran came from Hoffenheim, star defender Leonardo Bonucci said goodbye after just a few months. “Kevin is someone who knows the Bundesliga, someone who wants to lead the way is inevitably in the starting line-up,” explained Union Berlin’s technical director Michael Parensen on Sky.
Vogt was involved in the center of defense as a ball distributor and driver for his new team, but he was also unable to prevent Freiburg’s clear increase in chances and superiority. After the minute’s silence in honor of the late Franz Beckenbauer, both fan camps initially forewent their usual atmospheric support as a protest against the possible investor entry into the German Football League. It turned out to be a tough game at times, in which Freiburg were the better team.
It got a little louder when Roland Sallai’s shot whizzed just past the goal to the right (11th). Union keeper Frederik Rönnow saved a little later from Vincenzo Grifo’s header. Rönnow would probably have had no chance with Sallai’s huge header chance after a good half hour – but Freiburg’s offensive power headed just wide to the left. On the other hand, there was next to nothing from the visitors’ offensive.
“If you believe that you don’t have to work incredibly hard against Union and have to be extremely careful, then you’ll lose,” SC coach Christian Streich warned his team. The hosts continued to dictate the action after the break. After a duel between Josip Juranovic and Sallai, video evidence was attempted after around an hour, but a penalty was decided. Grifo’s shot in the next scene also did not give Freiburg the lead they had hoped for. Streich’s team didn’t let up much as the game progressed, and things got tricky again in the guests’ penalty area: But Freiburg’s Röhl also missed the winning goal (83′).