A first-half goal from Ken Reichel succumbed Union Berlin to defeat at Eintracht Braunschweig on Sunday.
Neither side asserted much dominance on the game inside the first 10 minutes. Union was sharp and combative like the win over Fortuna Düsseldorf last weekend, but couldn’t create in the final-third. The home side, however, gained an early advantage when Reichel struck from distance, low into the bottom corner of Daniel Mesenhöler’s net.
From then onwards, Torsten Lieberknecht’s men held on to the controls. Domi Kumbela threatened in the 28th minute but Mesenhöler did well to keep the deficit at one. Coach Andre Hofschneider noticed problems in the middle of the park and switched Stephan Fürstner for Grischa Prömel after just half an hour at the Eintracht-Stadion.
Kumbela was clean through on the Union goal early into the second half, but opted to shoot rather than carry towards the box. Abdullahi prodded a shot wide of the target on the hour mark as the Köpenick club struggled to gain a foothold in the match. Steven Skrzybski, who scored twice in the win last week, forced Fejzic into action but with a tame effort.
With Braunschweig focused on protecting their lead, the capital club was stronger in the final quarter of an hour. Simon Hedlund came within inches of equalising with a header from inside the box before Sebastian Polter passed up a fantastic opportunity in the final few minutes. The match ended on a low for Union with Akaki Gogia picking up his fifth yellow card, triggering a suspension for the next league match.
"Congratulations to Braunschweig, who earned their points. Today we have missed a lot of what we threw into the mix last week. I don't just want to hold onto Felix Kroos's suspension, but today we have seen how important he is for our game. It will take us some time to process this game. As we did in the first 30 minutes, you can't perform like that in the 2.Bundesliga," coach Hofschneider said in the post-match media briefing.
Union Berlin have the chance to bounce back next Saturday when Sandhausen make the trip to the Stadion An der Alten Försterei. Tickets will be available through next week with the visiting side expected to return a number of briefs. Saturday’s kick-off time is 13:00.
Union search for momentum in away trip to Braunschweig
Match preview
After last week’s terrific win over Fortuna Düsseldorf, Union Berlin make the convenient trip to Lower Saxony to take on Eintracht Braunschweig on Sunday 18 February at the Eintracht-Stadion.
The 3-1 triumph, which ended Union’s run of seven successive games without a win, has brightened the mood at the Alte Försterei. Coach Andre Hofschneider picked up his first win in the dugout and is expecting an “exciting clash where they will be lots of emotion and a great atmosphere” in Braunschweig. “For the neutral spectators, this is one to be excited about,” he added.
Both Union and Braunschweig were high in the table last season, but have struggled to piece together results with the same consistency. Braunschweig, 12th in the table, are only three points above a relegation position. Torsten Lieberknecht’s side have managed one win in six games – drawing 0-0 at home to Sandhausen on the previous matchday. Meanwhile, Union sits on 31 points, 10 behind last year’s impressive showing at the same point.
Hofschneider will be forced to deal with a bunch of selection issues for the trip west. Felix Kroos, the team’s important number six, is out due to suspension, while a wave of illnesses have struck down many of the team’s first-team starters. Toni Leistner, Peter Kurzweg and Marcel Hartel returned to training this week, but their status remains open. Christopher Trimmel, Berkan Taz and Dennis Daube remain doubtful, as well.
There is good news for Union Berlin, which perhaps will not come in handy for Sunday’s game. However, Kenny-Prince Redondo and Christoph Schösswendter tied up their laces for the first time in several months and came through an individual training session.
Please note: Advice for travelling fans
There are no longer tickets available in the away block at the Eintracht-Stadion. Union Berlin fans have secured all of the 2,210 tickets and all of those are advised to follow the instructions of the local police. The stadium gates in Braunschweig are open from noon.
