1. FC Union Berlin came from behind at the RheinEnergieStadion to claim a point on the road against 2.Bundesliga newcomers 1. FC Köln.
The Billy Goats took the lead four minutes before half time with a strike from Christian Clemens. However, Urs Fischer's side fought back and earned a deserved point thanks to the Swedish striker's first league goal of the campaign.
1. FC Köln: Horn; Horn, Sobiech, Czichos, Risse; Hauptmann (Guirassy 84), Clemens (Zoller 77), Schaub, Hector; Drexler, Cordoba (Terrode 60)
1. FC Union Berlin: Gikiewicz; Trimmel, Friedrich, Parensen, Reichel; Hartel (Kroos 90), Prömel, Schmiedebach; Hedlund, Redondo (Gogia 66), Andersson
Head coach Urs Fischer made one change to his starting side from the 1-0 win against FC Erzgebirge Aue last weekend – Simon Hedlund replacing Akaki Gogia in attack. The Berliners made a vibrant start to the game with the Swedish winger and Kenny Prince Redondo breaking into dangerous positions on the wing. After six minutes, Redondo cutely laid the ball off to Marvin Friedrich but the centre-back's shot deflected wide.
The home side, relegated from the Bundesliga last term, emerged stronger after the 20-minute mark. Louis Schaub headed just past the target on 28 minutes before Jhon Cordoba's strike was parried wide by Rafal Gikiewicz a minute later. In a 4-3-3 formation, Fischer's Union were compact and restricted Markus Anfang's team to opportunities from distance. But the first half ended in frustration for the Köpenick club as Christian Clemens pounced on a loose ball, drove through the Union midfield and crashed the ball past Gikiewicz.
After regrouping in the tunnel, Fischer's men emerged with extra fight and purpose. Ken Reichel smashed a free kick against the crossbar two minutes into the second 45. Meanwhile, Jonas Hector headed on to the woodwork from close range less than 30 seconds later. Friedrich was dangerous for a second time around the Köln box but Timo Horn was equal to his glancing header. The first change for the Köpenick side, Akaki Gogia added fresh legs in place of Kenny Prince Redondo who worked tirelessly on the wing. Fischer's trust in Gogia was justified as the 27-year-old led a blistering counter-attack down the left-hand side, setting up Andersson inside the six-yard box for the equaliser.
With further support from Christopher Lenz at full-back, Union put in a gallant fight against the ball and created additional moments of positivity in the final third. Hector was inches away from conceding an own goal following a powerful run from Grischa Prömel. Felix Kroos joined the show in stoppage time as Fischer's team ran down the clock and sent more than 2,000 travelling supporters back to Berlin in good spirits.
Fischer's Union on the road for Week 2
Match preview
1. FC Union Berlin will make the trip to relegated 1. FC Köln on Monday night (20:30) for the second encounter of the 2018/19 2.Bundesliga season.
Up against the favourites – Köln demand immediate return:
After last weekend's 1-0 win over FC Erzgebirge Aue at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei to open the league season, Urs Fischer's team will embark on one of the toughest challenges of the campaign. With just 22 points, 1. FC Köln were relegated from the Bundesliga last season, but are set up with solid foundations under Markus Anfang. The Billy Goats were able to secure the services of Jonas Hector, Timo Horn and Marcel Risse, while adding a number of impressive signings including Dynamo Dresden's Niklas Hauptmann, Holstein Kiel's Rafal Czichos and Dominik Drexler who joined from FC Midtjylland. With a strong squad and a great pedigree, Köln will be setting their sights on an immediate return to the Bundesliga.
Union yet to score in Mungersdorf:
The Köpenick will travel to Köln without the best of records. FC have won five of the seven meetings between the sides including the most recent encounter in 2012-13 when the Billy Goats were down in the second division. However, Union coach Urs Fischer isn't concerned about the past and says the Berliners are heading west with a sense of self-confidence for Monday's game. "If we were to go into the game anxiously, we'd be as well phoning up Köln and staying home," he said at the pre-match press conference.
"1. FC Köln are a team that will create pressure right from the start and try to bring the supporters on side. The players will go aggressively into challenges and fight for every ball - the full whack. We must be prepared for this. If we are on it mentally and play courageously, we can take something countable with us from Köln," added the Swiss coach.
Players still on the treatment table:
There are no changes to the fitness status of Fabian Schönheim and Sebastian Polter who remain in rehab from their long-term injuries. Marc Torrejon is still missing, but Florian Hübner was able to train this week and is soon ready to be involved again. The same goes for Julian Ryerson and Eroll Zejnuhallu.
Tickets available at the stadium:
With 1,700 Union fans set to arrive at the RheinEnergieStadion in Köln, the Köpenick side should have an impressive backing. If supporters wish to get tickets on matchday, they can pick them up at the cashiers. Tickets for the away block are available near the away section of the stadium.
