Florian Niederlechner scored both goals as 1. FC Union Berlin went down 1-2 at Augsburg.
The Augsburg striker netted in both halves to hand the home side all three points as the Bundesliga campaign enters the second round of fixtures. Marcus Ingvartsen equalised for the Köpenick club after 26 minutes, but the Dane was unable to take advantage of an opportunity from the penalty spot in the second half.
1. FC Union Berlin returned to the location of their first Bundesliga goal and point last season with Sebastian Polter getting Urs Fischer's side off the mark in Germany's top flight. After training in the city yesterday, Fischer's side arrived at the WWK-Arena with four changes from the defeat to RB Leipzig on Wednesday. Nico Schlotterbeck returned to the defence with Florian Hübner suspended for the next two matches. After taking a rest in midweek, Christopher Trimmel came in at full-back, Grischa Prömel into midfield and Sheraldo Becker in the attack. The captain Trimmel's return brought Union's set-piece quality back into focus and after four minutes, a delivery almost found the first goal. Marvin Friedrich won the header and Taiwo Awoniyi turned the ball over Rafal Gikiewicz's crossbar. While the former Union, promotion-winning goalkeeper would be back in action later, it was Heiko Herrlich's side who drew first blood. In the 17th minute, Gikiewicz's long ball up the pitch was flicked into space by Andre Hahn, the ball taken forward by Florian Niederlechner and the striker rifled past Andreas Luthe. The Augsburg lead lasted less than 10 minutes as the Köpenick club emphatically replied. On 26 minutes, Awoniyi's strength and presence held the ball in the penalty box, the Nigerian setting up Marcus Ingvartsen at the edge of the box. The Dane shuffled clear of referee Felix Brych and found the bottom corner with a sensational strike. To Augsburg's credit, they were happy to play the ball around and look for a mistake in Union's defensive ranks, which never came. At the other end, Brych waved away claims for a penalty kick following a barge from behind on Robert Andrich as the midfielder looked to shoot on goal. After 45 minutes, the players went into the dressing room with very little to separate the teams at the break.
Union Berlin returned for the second 45 minutes at the WWK-Arena, but Fischer's men couldn't have asked for a poorer start. Two minutes into action, Andreas Luthe kept out a header from Andre Hahn at the back-post, but Florian Niederlechner was there to follow up with the rebound and score his second of the game. On 54 minutes, Union were handed an opportunity to get back into the game when Felix Brych awarded the spot-kick. The experienced referee looked at the video monitor to rule a foul against Niederlechner inside the penalty box. But former Union 'keeper Gikiewicz was up to the job and parried clear the penalty from Ingvartsen. Four minutes later, the Polish goalkeeper denied Awoniyi who swivelled in the box and was close to finding the back of the net from close range. A fifth yellow card for the captain Trimmel means he will miss next week's game at the Alte Försterei. Marius Bülter, Andi Gogia and Christian Gentner was tasked with adding a spark against a well-organised Augsburg defence, but the penalty miss appeared to knock the stuffing out of the visitors. In the final minute of the match, substitute Niko Gießelmann entered a dangerous position but the left-back's final pass was an inch ahead of the red shirts who waited to put the ball into the net.
After a disappointing defeat on the road, 1. FC Union Berlin will get the full week to prepare for next Saturday's big challenge – a home match at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei against the impressive Borussia Mönchengladbach.
Union head south to take on Augsburg
Match preview
Just three days after the defeat in Leipzig, 1. FC Union Berlin will fight to get back on track at the home of FC Augsburg on Saturday at 15:30 CET.
Review
1. FC Union Berlin's strong start to the new year was brought to an end at the former Zentralstadion in Leipzig on Wednesday night. Despite Emil Forsberg's winning goal after 70 minutes, 1. FC Union Berlin will walk away with many positives against the team who currently are the closest challengers to champions Bayern Munich. Urs Fischer's side threatened on a number of occasions, the first sight at goal falling for Cedric Teuchert who shot the winner against Leverkusen a week ago. Marcus Ingvartsen was inches away from a clear chance in the second half, while the Danish U21 international was bundled over but the penalty claim was brushed off by referee Sascha Steegemann.
1. FC Union Berlin spent the night in Leipzig before heading south to Augsburg, where our thanks goes to the staff at the Rosenaustadion who cleared the pitch of snow. Union have trained at the ground for the past two days.
Opposition
Union Berlin will be well aware of the threat posed by Heiko Herrlich's FC Augsburg. The club from the south of Germany walked away from the Stadion An der Alten Försterei with three points on the first weekend of the 2020/21 season back in September. Half a season on, however, Union are ahead of Augsburg in the Bundesliga table. Herrlich's team have 19 points and are in 12th position, keeping their head above water from the relegation battle. On Wednesday, Augsburg put up a strong contest at home to rivals Bayern Munich, but Robert Lewandowski's penalty ultimately separated the teams at the end of the 90.
Personnel
Fischer's travelling party doesn't include Max Kruse, Anthony Ujah or Joel Pohjanpalo. Defender Florian Hübner is suspended for the next two matches, but there is good news as Sheraldo Becker and Grischa Prömel have trained with the team this week.
"The next task is coming up and we can be proud after the first half of the season, but it's just a snapshot. Augsburg played really well against Bayern and it'll be another difficult match," said coach Urs Fischer in the pre-match press conference.
Service
Saturday's game at the Augsburg Arena will be played behind closed doors.
