Intermediate round of the Europa League
–
Strong Unioners miss victory at Ajax
In the first leg of the Europa League, 1. FC Union Berlin and Ajax drew 0-0. The Berlin guests played a strong away game, never let the Amsterdamers develop, but missed the well-deserved victory themselves.
1. FC Union Berlin narrowly missed out on a win in what is probably the biggest game in the club’s history. In the first leg of the second round of the Europa League against Ajax, the Irons once again presented themselves as sovereign, but despite a flawless defensive performance and more shots on target, the encounter ended 0-0.
The second leg in the Alte Försterei will take place in a week on February 23rd.
After a few minutes, the typical Union game developed
The game started quite quickly, both teams played their first attacks purposefully. In the first few minutes, Union was able to set a few offensive accents, but after these brought nothing, the Irons withdrew and remembered their usual disciplined game against the ball. Opponent Ajax had taken over the field superiority in the 10th minute, but not yet dangerous attacks.
This is how the typical Union game developed: The opponent has more of the ball, but cannot find any gaps against the compact defending Berliners – your own danger should be sparked by counterattacks and set pieces.
Union dared to go forward a little in the last 15 minutes
A slow-paced game had developed by the 25th minute, as Union retreated deep, only pressing from the center line and Ajax found it difficult to create solutions in possession. Scenes in the penalty area were in short supply, the respective last third of the field was orphaned – also because the Amsterdam Unions had the transition moments well under control.
Only in the last quarter of an hour of the first half did the Köpenickers dare to step back into Ajax’s half of the game. Their advances exuded more danger than anything that Amsterdam had been able to develop with all the possession of the ball. Since Union’s work against the ball was impeccable and Ajax acted irritatingly phlegmatic as the home team, the game went into the half-time break 0-0 – despite a shooting ratio of 9-0 for Union.
Ajax comes out of the cabin well, but Union is more compelling
With an offensive change including a system change, Ajax came out of the dressing room much more actively, their own attacks were now more focused. This resulted in an overall more fast-paced game, the midfield was bridged faster. But the momentum tipped just as quickly. In the 55th minute, Union’s Josip Juranovic tested Ajax goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli with a direct free kick, just two minutes later Morten Thorsby failed after Juranovic’s cross from just a few minutes with a header at the Amsterdam goalkeeper – that probably should have been the Union lead.
Thorsby almost made it 1-0 again in the 65th minute, but his goal was ruled out due to a handball. A bitter, because quite hard decision, especially since the lead would have been deserved by now. Even after that, the guests remained the more compelling team, the speed violations on the flanks repeatedly caused problems for Ajax. The home side’s game, on the other hand, had flattened out completely again, with Union having no trouble defending uninspired attacks.
Union’s defense is once again unbreakable
In the final quarter of an hour, Ajax took action again to somehow win the home game. But again Union behaved excellently against the ball, so that there was no danger. Ajax struggled with the iron defense, goalkeeper Frederik Rönnow remained almost unemployed.
Since the Berliners were also unable to set any more offensive accents, the game ended 0-0 – Ajax will probably be happy about the result.
The short analysis
It speaks volumes about performance when a team can only be upset at having drawn 0-0 after an away game at Ajax. But 1. FC Union Berlin is allowed to do just that, because the Irons showed a strong performance in Amsterdam. The Berliners didn’t allow anything defensively – and that against a team that is otherwise extremely dangerous and that is used to a lot of ball possession.
Once again, Union brought all its strengths to the field, only the efficiency in the goal was missing. With the 0:0, however, the Köpenickers have created a satisfactory starting position for the second leg in their home stadium – and more than deserved it due to another solid team performance.
Broadcast: rbb24, February 16, 2023, 9:45 p.m