In the most important European Cup game in the club’s history, Union Berlin played ice cold. Ajax Amsterdam also finds no means at the Alte Försterei. For the iron it goes on internationally.
At the end of another magical football evening in the sold-out Alte Försterei, the pros of 1. FC Union Berlin celebrated their entry into the round of 16 of the Europa League with the euphoric fans.
The capital city won in front of their frenetic crowd in the most important European game in the club’s history 3-1 (2-0) against the Dutch record champions Ajax Amsterdam.
“What you experience here is incredible. We put our hearts on the pitch and deserved to win here,” said Union professional Rani Khedira on RTL: “If we get our team spirit on the pitch, then we’re hard to beat. How just enjoy this moment, nobody would have dreamed of that before the season started.” Team-mate Robin Knoche added: “Of course we’re overjoyed. You can see that the team is developing bit by bit. It’s just fun at the moment.”
Robin Knoche (20th minute, hand penalty), Josip Juranovic (44th) and Danilho Doekhi (50th) scored in the second leg of the second round in front of 21,800 fans for coach Urs Fischer’s team. The guests were the game-determining team, but the Köpenickers showed themselves ice-cold when taking advantage of their chances against the most famous opponent in their European Cup history. For the Dutch only Mohammed Kudus (47th) could shorten in the meantime. Ajax professional Edson Alvarez saw the yellow-red card in the heated stoppage time (90 +7).
One round further: who will Union now be drawn?
After the 0-0 in the first leg, the Berlin team, who are still unbeaten this year, are in the round of 16, where FC Arsenal, Feyenoord Rotterdam and Fenerbahce Istanbul are among the possible opponents. The draw will take place on Friday (12:00 p.m.) in Nyon, Switzerland.
The iron ones don’t have much time to celebrate and dream. Already on Sunday (5.30 p.m. / DAZN) the next important game for the table third in the fight for the title of the Bundesliga is at Bayern Munich, who are tied on points.
The anticipation of the game was even more noticeable in Köpenick than usual. Two hours before kick-off, long queues formed in front of the stadium gates in the drizzle. “When the dream comes true, life becomes intoxication” was written on a large banner of the Union fans. In addition, the championship trophy, the DFB Cup and the trophy of the Europa League were shown. Smoke from pyrotechnics wafted through the stadium from both sides around the kick-off.
The coaches only changed their teams in one position compared to the first leg. Fischer replaced Morten Thorsby with Janik Haberer, who was suspended in Amsterdam. Former Bremen player Davy Klaassen started at Ajax.
Union “combative, disciplined and efficient”
The guests presented themselves as more mobile and variable. They showed their playful class especially towards the end of the first half. The Berliners, on the other hand, seemed a bit nervous at the beginning. Simple bad passes crept in. The team withdrew deep at times and let Ajax have the ball. But chances remained rare for the Dutch. In a period of pressure just before the break, the home side were lucky as Kudus was caught offside in the 43rd minute when he slotted the ball in.
The Irons showed their typical qualities: combative, disciplined and again efficient in front of goal, as Fischer emphasized as necessary before the game. After a corner, Danilho Doekhi headed the ball into Clavin Bassey’s hand. Knoche converted the penalty, even though world champion Gerónimo Rulli touched the ball in the Ajax goal.
The luck of the competition that Fischer had promised was also on the side of the hosts. Rulli should have blocked Juranovic’s shot from the edge of the penalty area just before the break. It was the Croatian’s first goal in Union dress.
The irons immediately countered the connection hit by Kudus, who sent the ball into the goal after a cross from the left. Doekhi headed in from a Juranovic corner. The 24-year-old Dutchman, who played for Ajax at youth level, has scored the fifth header this season, his first in the Europa League.
Ajax increased the pressure. After a nice combination, Kudus missed free-standing in front of Frederik Rönnow (62nd). The Berliners counterattacked. Sheraldo Becker failed twice at Rulli (70th/85th).
Source: Stern
I am Pierce Boyd, a driven and ambitious professional working in the news industry. I have been writing for 24 Hours Worlds for over five years, specializing in sports section coverage. During my tenure at the publication, I have built an impressive portfolio of articles that has earned me a reputation as an experienced journalist and content creator.
