1. FC Union Berlin were held to a 1-1 draw against 1. FC Magdeburg on Sunday.
Christian Beck put the hosts — third-from-bottom in the 2.Bundesliga — ahead six minutes before half-time at the MDCC-Arena. However, Union dug deep to get their share of the spoils with a goal from substitute Akaki Gogia around 25 minutes from time. The fourth consecutive draw away from Berlin maintains the unbeaten start to league season and extends the overall record to 18 without defeat.
1. FC Union Berlin: Gikiewicz; Trimmel, Hübner, Friedrich, Lenz; Schmiedebach, Kroos (Polter 59), Zulj; Abdullahi (Gogia 46), Polter, Mees (Hartel 80)
Urs Fischer made two changes to the side, which beat Darmstadt 3-1 at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei last Sunday. Ken Reichel (injured) was replaced at left-back by Christopher Lenz, while Grischa Prömel (injured) sat out with Robert Zulj in his place. The Union head coach warned that his men would need to show the “necessary respect” to their opponents despite their third-from-bottom spot in the table — and his comments were justified in the opening stages. Magdeburg, spurred on by an intense home crowd, put Union into difficult situations in the opening five minutes. Florian Hübner and Marvin Friedrich intervened on several occasions to keep the scoreline blank. On 23 minutes, Suleiman Abdullahi latched on to a flick on from Sebastian Andersson, but the hero from Hamburg was blocked in his path by Alexander Brunst, the Magdeburg goalkeeper. Rafal Gikiewicz had to look lively on two instances after the hour mark to prevent the home side from scoring. However, it would prove to be in vain towards the end of the half when Christian Beck raced clear on 39 minutes and finished confidently over the Union keeper. Zulj’s cross-shot hit the crossbar as Union Berlin threatened before Dr. Felix Brych blew the half-time whistle.
Abdullahi, who was booked in the first half, was withdrawn at the break with Gogia taking his place on the right-hand side of the attack. Sebastian Polter soon followed to make it a two-man strike force as Fischer’s side started to chase the game. One of his substitutes, Gogia, made the all-important equaliser on his own, taking a neat touch in the box and firing the ball across Brunst and into the corner of the net. On 76 minutes, Michael Oenning’s team could have perhaps taken the points themselves when Beck glanced his header narrowly wide of the target. Marcel Hartel was given the nod with 10 minutes left on the clock and was involved in some of the Köpenick club's late attacks on the FCM box. Union huffed and puffed on a challenging surface, but held their nerve to come away with a well-earned point.
Urs Fischer said in the post-match press conference: "It was a fair draw in the end. Two teams, who created some chances but on a difficult surface. Lots of fight in the game. Magdeburg put us under pressure early on, but the match levelled out later. It was a deserved first goal for Magdeburg, but second half Union were better."
Union Berlin prepare to play 1. FC Magdeburg
Match preview
1. FC Union Berlin are on the road this weekend in the 2.Bundesliga, facing 1. FC Magdeburg on Sunday December 9 at 13:30.
Review: Union extend unbeaten streak, Magdeburg without luck
1. FC Union Berlin are coming off the back of a 3-1 win over Darmstadt, the club’s 17th game without a loss in the 2.Bundesliga. Urs Fischer is first head coach since 2012 to be unbeaten in his first 15 games in the division. With 13 goals between them, Sebastian Polter and Sebastian Andersson are competing to lead the Union attack. Andersson, with seven to his name, took his chance and bagged a double last weekend. “The competition is there,” said Fischer. “The two are professional in dealing with each other. They find a mixture of collegial, cordial, serious and tense. Both showed good performances in training this week and want to impose themselves. They want to show they are ready.”
Under the guidance of Michael Oenning — appointed as Jens Hartel’s successor in October — Magdeburg have picked up form without earning points. Fischer commented, “Magdeburg could have won the last two games” at the pre-game press conference and that, his side will need to show the “necessary respect” despite their third-from-bottom standing. Magdeburg have picked up six of their 10 points this season at the MDCC-Arena, their home patch.
Record: Magdeburg edge the head-to-head
Sunday’s encounter is the first 2.Bundesliga game, the result of 1. FC Magdeburg’s first-ever promotion to the second-tier of German football. However, the teams have a history in the East German Oberliga, as well as, some lower levels in the pyramid. Union’s record against Magdeburg is negative — just 10 wins in 34 games with 18 going to ‘Der Club’ who won the European Cup Winners Cup in 1974.
Personnel: Fischer without Prömel
Midfielder Grischa Prömel will be missing from the squad this Sunday following an injury this past week. Florian Hübner picked up a knock after the game against Darmstadt, but completed full training on Friday morning.
Service: Fan information, sold out
We would recommend that supporters, who are attending the match in Magdeburg, read our pre-match information piece, which can be found here. Kick-off is 13:30, with turnstiles opening two hours before. There will be no tickets available at the stadium as the away section is a complete sell out.
