The emotional Europa League premiere in the An der Alten Försterei stadium ended with a sporting disappointment for Union Berlin. Coach Urs Fischer’s team lost 1-0 to Belgian runners-up Royale Union Saint-Gilloise at the start of the group stage on Thursday evening after a particularly poor performance in the first half. In front of 21,512 spectators, Senne Lynen shot the guests to victory in the 39th minute. Before the game at 1. FC Köln on Sunday, the Irons suffered their first competitive defeat of the season.
Actually, after the Bundesliga top game against Bayern Munich at the weekend, the next day of celebration was planned for the Berliners. Unlike last season in the Europa Conference League, they don’t have to switch to the Olympic Stadium this season, but can play in their own stadium. “We need the Alte Försterei like the air we need to live” and “Football where it belongs,” said the large banners in the annex.
The heavy rains in the capital had stopped just in time for the kick-off. But it wasn’t sporty. And Sven Michel saw the red card shortly before the end. It was clear to see that both teams are pursuing similar footballing approaches, as Fischer had said before the game: compact on the defensive and, if possible, quickly going up vertically. The Berliners therefore found it difficult to find gaps when Saint-Gilloise retreated deeply. There was also some uncertainty during construction. Winger Sheraldo Becker was attacked almost continuously by two players and was largely ineffective.
The Belgians, on the other hand, were safe and calm on the ball. They were difficult to get hold of for the iron team. At the beginning, the guests tried to pull the Köpenicker’s full-backs out of the chain and play into the gaps. The lead fell after a perfectly played counterattack. The Berliners didn’t get access, Victor Boniface put it down after a long solo run to Lynen, who pushed in. Union’s best opportunity in the first half was missed by Kevin Behrens after a pass in the back by Janik Haberer, who had returned from the starting XI.
After the break things continued in a similar way. A cross was a bit too high for Vanzeir, he failed with his header. Fischer made four changes before the 71st minute. The Berliners got into the game better and increased the pressure – but they didn’t get many clear chances to score. Substitute Sven Michel failed twice in quick succession.
Freiburg initially strong, then lucky
First delivered, then trembled: Despite a blatant drop in performance after a strong start, SC Freiburg celebrated a successful European Cup comeback after 3192 days of abstinence. The surprise leaders of the Bundesliga won 2-1 against Azerbaijan’s champions Karabakh Agdam at the start of the group stage in the Europa League. Vincenzo Grifo from the penalty spot and Ritsu Doan scored for Freiburg, who last made it into the group stage in 2013 – but were eliminated after the group stage. Marko Vesovic was successful for the guests. After Sunday’s league game against Borussia Mönchengladbach, Freiburg have to play Olympiacos Piraeus in the second group game on Thursday next week.
In front of 32,800 spectators, the hosts went offensive right from the start. Maximilian Eggestein after 23 seconds and Doan in the second minute caused danger in front of the guests’ goal. Shortly thereafter, Grifo scored from the point. Referee Erik Lambrechts from Belgium had awarded a penalty for a foul on Matthias Ginter after studying the video. Just two minutes after taking the lead, the Japanese player Doan missed a great chance to score the second goal for the Freiburg team, who were acting with pressure and who, in addition to their long-term injuries, also had to do without Roland Sallai and Manuel Gulde. A little later, Doan did better and skilfully completed a solo attempt.
Hello, Mr. Referee, can we get a penalty too? But no, Erik Lambrechts did not obey the Karabakh players.
(Photo: Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
In the middle of the first half, coach Christian Streich’s team took it easy at first, but then Freiburg even became passive. In the 32nd minute, Abdellah Zoubir had Karabakh’s first chance. Shortly thereafter, Vesovic punished the phlegmatic phase of the hosts. Eggestein and SC goalkeeper Mark Flekken did not look good when they conceded. At the beginning of the second half there were no signs of improvement from Freiburg’s point of view. Kwabwena Owusu was close to equalizing for the Azerbaijanis. Even in the minutes that followed, the equalizer was in the air. Far too little came from Freiburg. And the Bundesliga champions were lucky that the recalcitrant guests were not awarded a penalty.