1. FC Union Berlin remain unbeaten in the 2.Bundesliga after a 0-0 draw at the Benteler-Arena on Sunday against newly-promoted SC Paderborn.
The Berliners enjoyed the better of the chances, particularly in the second period. Sebastian Andersson and substitute Joshua Mees came close but Urs Fischer's side could only manage to secure a point on matchday 10.
Union coach Fischer made two changes to his starting side, which earned a 1-1 draw at home to 1. FC Heidenheim a fortnight ago. Ken Reichel dropped out of the squad entirely, while Robert Zulj went on to the bench in place of Christopher Lenz and Felix Kroos. A steady opening period to the game from Union was to be expected given Paderborn's offensive armoury. Steffen Baumgart's team have created the most chances, taken the most shots and scored the most goals from set-piece situations in the 2.Bundesliga this season. That quality was on evidence in the seventh minute as Babacar Gueye weaved into the box, cut it across goal but eventually denied by the efforts of goalie Rafal Gikiewicz and Marvin Friedrich. Union's best effort arrived after 14 minutes with Christopher Trimmel's powerful cross heading in the direction of Swedish international Sebastian Andersson, if not for the intervention of Paderborn keeper Leopold Zingerle.
Union Berlin assumed more control in the second period and looked to impose their game on the home side. Florian Hübner headed over on 54 minutes from a free-kick situation, earned by a brilliant run by Marcel Hartel. Mees was given the nod on the hour mark, returning to the side after an injury lay-off — the 22-year-old's last appearance was on the first week of the campaign. Fischer's side became stronger and stronger and carved open a great chance on 67 minutes — Grischa Prömel's reverse pass playing in Andersson who was denied one-vs-one by Zingerle. The Swede was wiped out by the Paderborn keeper two minutes later as his header came back off the crossbar. Robert Zulj and Sebastian Polter entered the fray and bolstered Union's attacking options as the lion's share of the game was played in Paderborn's defensive-third. Mees missed a promising opening with five minutes left, but it was a hard shot for the winger to take on. A point was secured in the end meaning the Berliners hold on to their unbeaten record with Dynamo Dresden the next challengers at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei next weekend.
1. FC Union Berlin battle Baumgart's Paderborn
Match preview
1. FC Union Berlin return to league business on Sunday 21 October (13:30) and face newly-promoted SC Paderborn at the Benteler-Arena.
Review: Last-ditch equaliser against Heidenheim
Goalkeeper Rafal Gikiewicz bailed out his teammates on the last matchday, where 1. FC Union Berlin had to wait until late stoppage time to get a point against 1. FC Heidenheim. Gikiewicz’s header preserved our unbeaten record in the 2.Bundesliga — the ninth game without a loss for Urs Fischer’s team in league competition. Union sit second in the table behind 1. FC Köln with Hamburg just behind on an inferior goal differential.
With 15 points from nine games, it has been an excellent start to life in the second division for Steffen Baumgart, a former player here at the Alte Försterei. Paderborn have one of the strongest attacks in the league with 19 goals — just Köln have hit the back of the net more than the team from Ost-Westfalen. Baumgart’s side lead the way on the best chances created, the most shots on goal and strikes from set-piece situations. Philipp Klement scored the winner from a dead-ball situation to beat Ingolstadt 2-1 on their last outing.
Record: 4-0 success in Paderborn last time out
1. FC Union Berlin and Paderborn have met 16 times overall — 12 in the 2.Bundesliga, four in 3.Liga — with the Köpenick club winning five times. Paderborn have a strong record against the Berliners, winning at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei on their last visit in 2015-16. However, at the Benteler-Arena, Union ran out 4-0 winners with a double from Bobby Wood and strikes from Damir Kreilach and Toni Leistner.
Personnel: Almost a clean bill of health
Fischer expressed his views on the personnel situation against Paderborn. Julian Ryerson appeared twice for Norway’s U21 side, whilst Marcel Hartel and Sebastian Andersson earned game time for their respective teams. All returned healthy, and the Swedish centre forward has been given time to rest following his return. “His condition is really good. Yesterday, he completed a large chunk of the training. He appeared for 60-70 minutes. His legs are good but he was a little bit tired from the travelling and getting to his hotel quite late on. He has not slept much. We slept in a little on Thursday morning, since we trained later.”
Meanwhile, Michael Parensen’s injury is not as serious as it first appeared last week. The 29-year-old is expected to join up with his teammates for full training next week. However, there is bad news for Marc Torrejon who has suffered a setback in his recovery. “His optimism isn’t broken though,” said Fischer who will have a full squad when both knocks are cleared up.
Tickets: Available in Paderborn
1. FC Union Berlin expect between 800 and 1000 at the Benteler-Arena on Sunday lunchtime. Supporters who are still interested in purchasing a ticket should get them from the cashiers at the Benteler-Arena in Paderborn on matchday.
