Two changes were made from last Sunday’s draw at Schalke — Christian Gentner replaced Grischa Prömel (injured) and Marcus Ingvartsen started ahead of Marius Bülter. Loris Karius' injury meant Lennart Moser was handed the second goalkeeping berth on the bench. In accordance with Berlin’s Infection Protection Regulations, 4,500 fans were allowed to be in attendance, but new mask measures were in place from this week. The limited crowd backed the team from the first minute with clapping and using instruments like pans and whistles. Fischer’s team made an excellent start, playing with a fluid and dynamic midfield and attack. Andrich powered his way into the box after four minutes, but Pohjanpalo shot over despite tussling practically on the line with Florian Müller. The Freiburg goalkeeper was the busier of the two, saving from both Andrich and Ingvartsen. A lot of Union’s threatening attacks came from wide-right where Sheraldo Becker had the beating of the vastly-experienced Christian Günther. Pohjanpalo ought to have opened the scoring from Becker’s pin-point delivery, but the Finnish international headed over. Müller parried a long-range effort from the Dutch wide man halfway through the first 45 minutes before Ingvartsen missed the target with a back-post header. Despite the Köpenick club’s committed performance, Freiburg struck against the run of play. The ball was eventually worked right-to-left, the pass finding Grifo who slotted accurately into the opposite corner with the instep of his right-foot. Fortunately, Union’s momentum was not disrupted by the sucker punch and Andrich’s accurate pile driver from 25 yards nestled into Müller’s right-hand corner to level the scores before the break.
During the half-time interval, the club and supporters acknowledged bus driver Sven Weinel, who will end his time at the Alte Försterei after 22 years. The opening minutes were a frenzy, with both teams enjoying promising phases in attack. Becker shot over with his left foot before heading straight at Müller from the penalty spot. Ingvartsen's shot was saved in the build-up to the Dutchman's opportunity. Meanwhile, goalkeeper Andreas Luthe was kept on his toes and denied Lucas Höler from close range. Fischer shuffled things either side of the hour mark with Marius Bülter, Taiwo Awoniyi, Sebastian Griesbeck and Keita Endo getting game time. Endo immediately held the ball in and won a free-kick in a good crossing position. Trimmel delivered and Christian Günther blocked a goalbound volley from Max Kruse with the match entering the final 15 minutes in Köpenick. The captain and Austrian international went down the tunnel 10 minutes early due to injury — Julian Ryerson took his place for the final yards. Four minutes left, Friedrich took matters into his own hands, charging out from the back into the final-third and firing his shot inches over Müller's crossbar. Even with additional time, Union asked the question but were aware how dangerous Freiburg could be on the break, if there was even a hint of complacency in Union's ranks.
Another point for the Köpenick club is good news and there's a long weekend for both fans and players. On Monday November 2 at 20:30, 1. FC Union Berlin will head to TSG Hoffenheim for the first Monday night appearance of the campaign.
Union host Freiburg at the Alte Försterei
Match preview
1. FC Union Berlin will welcome 5,000 spectators to the Stadion An der Alten Försterei for the visit of Christian Streich and SC Freiburg on Saturday at 15:30.
In accordance with Berlin's Infection Protection Regulations, all open-air events can have a maximum 5,000 people in attendance. These measures are still in place — but it is mandatory for fans to wear a mask at all times and refrain from singing/chanting.
Review
Urs Fischer's side left the Veltins Arena with a well-deserved point against Schalke, but may feel it could have been all three. Marvin Friedrich's second goal in consecutive appearances put Union into a dominant position in the second half, but Goncalo Paciencia equalised for the Royal Blues from a set-piece situation. The Köpenick club's fifth point of the league season keeps them unbeaten on the road in the 2020/21 Bundesliga season.
Meanwhile, SC Freiburg drew 1-1 at home to Werder Bremen at the Schwarzwald-Stadion. Philipp Lienhart opened the scoring after 15 minutes, but the northern Germans hit back with Niklas Füllkurg's strike from the penalty spot in the 25th minute.
Opposition
SC Freiburg share the same number of points as Union but are five goals worse off. This is in large part to the 0-4 defeat at the hands of Borussia Dortmund at the start of October. Streich's side beat rivals Stuttgart 3-2 with goals from Nils Petersen, Roland Sallai and Vincenzo Grifo, whilst also taking individual points from draws at home to both Wolfsburg and Werder Bremen. After finishing a point away from qualification for the UEFA Europa League last season, Freiburg added strength to their settled squad — Baptiste Santamaria signed for 10 million euros from Angers, Ermedin Demirovic arrived from Alaves (loan at St. Gallen) for three million, while Guus Till and Florian Müller signed on loan. The newcomers have helped Streich steady the tide of departues after recent successful seasons. Benfica plucked Luca Waldschmidt for 15 million euros, while Robin Koch joined up with promoted Leeds United. Alexander Schwolow, Pascal Stenzel, Mohamed Dräger, Jerome Gondorf and Brandon Borrello all left for pastures new and Nico Schlotterbeck signed in Köpenick for the 2020/21 season. Brother Keven, who was on loan last term at Union, has overall played for 30 minutes against Dortmund in the Bundesliga since his return.
Personnel
Grischa Prömel, Jakob Busk and Loris Karius are considered doubtful for Saturday's game, according to Fischer. Lennart Moser will join up with the first-team squad and Christian Gentner's 12 minutes in Gelsenkirchen make him an alternative option for the squad after recovering from injury. Nico Schlotterbeck is making progress in his recovery, but the coach would not be drawn into a general prognosis.
In Schlotterbeck's absence, Fischer has called on Mathis Bruns to step up from the youth side. Bruns is 16 years old, but has featured for Union's U19 side this season.
Service
Winners and losers of the ticket ballot have been informed by email.
The health and safety measures for visitors to the Stadion An der Alten Försterei are here.
The local broadcaster in your country/region can be found here.
