Polter scores late to secure draw against Regensburg
Match report
1. FC Union Berlin showed great character in the second half to fight back and secure a 2-2 draw against SSV Jahn Regensburg at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei.
Union's late dominance was rewarded when substitute Sebastian Polter equalised with 83 minutes on the clock with a towering header.
Sebastian Andersson had given the hosts the lead after 12 minutes, but goals from Sargis Adamyan and Hamadi Al Ghaddioui put the visitors in front.
The only Union Berlin changes from last weekend’s draw in Dresden were in the forward positions — Akaki Gogia and Joshua Mees dropped to the bench with Suleiman Abdullahi and Marcel Hartel in from the start. Regensburg travelled to the capital without captain Marco Grüttner who normally leads the attack, while there was a change in the sticks as Andre Weis continued ahead of Philipp Pentke. Despite Regensburg feeling more of the ball in the opening 10 minutes, Union stole an edge with an extremely well-worked move on 12 minutes. Ken Reichel made a gallivanting run down the left, then crossing the ball across the box for Andersson to bundle home under pressure. Four minutes later, the match took an unexpected twist: referee Harm Osmers pointed to the spot after Adamyan’s powerful shot struck Hübner from a close distance. The Armenian international converted the kick, but the protests of innocence went on for a couple of minutes. Regensburg still carried a threat up front, although most of their efforts looked to be focused on stopping Union attacks at the other end. A chance fell to Abdullahi at a tight angle before the half was out, but Weis stayed up and managed to close the angle.
Given all the value in securing a home win, the second half couldn’t have got off to a worst start. Union looked a little slack in possession and Al Ghaddioui took advantage, sliding the ball through Gikiewicz after 58 minutes. Fischer’s double substitution already looked in motion before the goal — Mees and Robert Zulj were quickly deployed in place of Manuel Schmiedebach and Marcel Hartel. With more men in forward areas, the hosts’ final push gathered momentum. Ken Reichel, pushing into a quasi-striker role at times, had more than attempts at goal but to no avail. On 68 minutes, the left back was played into a great position after a lovely passing combination between Mees and Zulj, but Andersson skied the finish.
Regensburg have handed more game time to Weis before the end of the season to weigh up his credentials for the following the campaign. The 29-year-old was putting in a stellar argument and he made a clutch of outstanding blocks to keep the visitors ahead. However, the second half turning point arrived when Polter joined Andersson and Abdullahi in an ultra-power-play move from coach Urs Fischer. Union’s 28-year-old striker tried to replicate his bicycle kick effort, which was blocked by Marcel Correia, but the home faithful would be rewarded for their support, seven minutes from the end. Trimmel’s corner kick towards the middle of the penalty area was powered into the back of the net with a ruthless header from Polter. Weis’ wonder-save with a few minutes left prevented the Berliners from taking all three points as they looked to get closer to Hamburg in second position.
Next weekend, 1. FC Union Berlin's promotion push will continue — the Köpenick club make the trip south to face SpVgg Greuther Fürth on Saturday 20 April at 13:00.
Union Berlin out to turn form at home to Regensburg
Match preview
1. FC Union Berlin have the opportunity to end a difficult run of results at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei on Friday night (18:30) when they take on SSV Jahn Regensburg.
Review: Union held in Dresden, Regensburg win in Bochum
Urs Fischer’s team came away from Dynamo Dresden with a point following a 0-0 draw last Sunday. It means the Köpenick club haven’t been able to secure all three points for the previous three encounters. However, as the Swiss coach expanded on last week, some things were positive from the previous encounters at Heidenheim and at home to Paderborn. Union, in his words, are creating more than enough chances to score, but unable to put the ball over the line.
“I think if I take the last three games, we’ve had enough goal-scoring chances. I don’t think it’s mainly that we don’t create chances — maybe we have a mental block,” explained Fischer. “Scoring goals is the most difficult thing to do in football. We’re having a bit of trouble with that. But we still have chances, which gives me confidence.”
Although Jahn Regensburg sit in eighth place, Achim Beierlorzer’s team are four points off fourth-placed Paderborn. Friday’s opponents have lost one of their last seven games and have a fine balance between defensive stability and threat in attack. Both goals in the 2-1 win over VfL Bochum came within eight minutes through Jann George and Marco Grüttner.
Record: Mixed results
Jahn Regensburg and Union Berlin played out a competitive draw (1-1) on November 4. The Köpenick club may have felt aggreived to take all the points when Ken Reichel's late strike was wrongly disallowed by the referee. Nevertheless, Union's record at home is a bit of a mixed bag given the lack of 2.Bundesliga history. Union won 1-0 in April 2013 — Mattuschka scored the winner from a penalty kick — while the home affair last season ended 2-2. Regensburg have yet to taste success in Köpenick since the club's first promotion to the second division in 2012.
Personnel: Still some to return
Union will be without Fabian Schönheim for Friday’s game, but Christopher Lenz, Eroll Zejnullahu and Suleiman Abdullahi have returned to training. Lenz and Abdullahi are ‘doubtful’ according to Fischer who will wait until after tomorrow’s final session before making a decision on either player.
Service: Sold out
The Stadion An der Alten Försterei has been completely sold out for several weeks since the schedule was confirmed. Supporters who are still interested in attending should follow our Secondary Ticket Market for the remaining home matches this season. Under 1,000 away fans are expected to attend the match.
