Union returned their focus to the Bundesliga following Thursday's final Group E match in the UEFA Europa Conference League against Slavia Prague. Urs Fischer made five changes: Andreas Luthe, Paul Jaeckel, Julian Ryerson, Genki Haraguchi and Kevin Behrens came in to the side. Marvin Friedrich was missing for the match having picked up an illness. Fischer looked beyond Greuther Fürth's league position in the pre-match press conference and remarked how Union have been warned based on Stefan Leitl's side's performances. Branimir Hrgota fired an early shot at Andreas Luthe to put the visitors on the back foot at the Sportpark Ronhof. Max Kruse broke past former Union midfielder Sebastian Griesback on 12 minutes but goalkeeper Sascha Burchert closed the angle. With the match played in front of no supporters, the game lacked the usual edge. Union entered the Fürth danger zone with some nice combination play without causing huge problems. On 19 minutes, Kruse shot at the goalkeeper before Haraguchi watched as his volley went over the target. The strongest spell of a scrappy first 45 minutes came as the half entered its final 10 minutes in Fürth. Kevin Behrens, with one Bundesliga goal to his name this season, put himself about in a physical sense to get Union into the game. On 37 minutes, Niko Gießelmann's inswinging free-kick set up Behrens for a chance but Maximilian Bauer intervened. As Union returned the ball back into opposition territory, Behrens was in on Burchert's goal but the goalkeeper showed good reactions to sniff out the danger.
Seven minutes into the second half and Union carved out a half-chance on the goal of Sascha Burchert. A clearance from a bouncing ball fell to Haraguchi but the midfielder fired wide of target. The visitors took advantage of a set-piece opportunity on 56 minutes to take the lead. There were claims of a foul on Kevin Behrens but referee Sven Jablonski waved away claims. The ball fell to Nielsen around seven yards out and fired past Luthe. Urs Fischer's team showed resilience to keep pushing away but the breakthrough wasn't forthcoming. Behrens' header was saved by Burchert who was in strong form for the hosts. The hosts got off lucky as Grischa Prömel's first touch didn't let him in on goal from Sheraldo Becker's cross. Ryerson fired wide from range as Union found themselves up against a motivated defence. Fischer looked for inspiration from the bench with Keita Endo and Cedric Teuchert handed the opportunity to turn the game around. On 83 minutes, Gießelmann passed up a promising opportunity. The left back shot the first time but it was deflected and the second attempt went over. Two minutes later, Keita Endo fired wide after a clearance from a corner kick. Union continued to push and should have levelled the scores in the final minute when Gießelmann's cross wasn't turned home by substitute Awoniyi. Voglsammer was next to try his luck but shot over into stoppage time as Union went down by a single goal at the Sportpark Ronhof.
Union's focus returns to Bundesliga
Match preview
1. FC Union Berlin are back in the hunt for Bundesliga points with a trip to newly-promoted Greuther Fürth on Sunday afternoon (15:30 CET).
Review – The last match:
Urs Fischer's side ran out 2-1 winners in the Bundesliga at home to RB Leipzig last Friday, moving temporarily into the top four positions. Taiwo Awoniyi bundled in the opening goal from a set play, but Christopher Nkunku equalised a few minutes later with a long-range shot. Union's dominance paid off in the second half as the snow started to come down in Köpenick. A training ground set-piece saw Max Kruse's shot deflected with Timo Baumgartl following up with a short-distance finish.
Fürth – Opposition Report:
Greuther Fürth are one of the most historic German clubs – a three-time championship winner in the 1920s and 30s – who returned to the Bundesliga this term. Stefan Leitl's team, who play their games at the 18000 Sportpark Ronhof, are at the foot of the table with one solitary point from 14 matches in the 2021/22 campaign. Considering their limited resources, Fürth have unsurprisingly struggled to keep the back door shut against top opposition. Bayer Leverkusen won 7-1 last weekend off the back of a 6-3 defeat at home to Hoffenheim and a 4-0 loss at Borussia Mönchengladbach. Fürth's single point was a 1-1 draw at home to Arminia Bielefeld in August.
Fürth – The coach's view:
Fischer said: "They have 1 point from 14 matches, but despite that, I have to give a lot of praise to Stefan Leitl. The team is always very well prepared for the next challenge having watched some of their previous games. There were some even matches. Against Hoffenheim in the last home game, they had a chance to make it 2-0 but instead were at 1-1. For their work, they deserve more."
Personnel:
Laurenz Dehl is the main absentee through injury, but there was good news as Urs Fischer confirmed the youngster was taking steps forward. Marvin Friedrich and Jakob Busk are ill and unavailable for selection.
