Union Breaks Losing Streak, Draws With Augsburg
After nine consecutive losses in the Bundesliga, 1. FC Union Berlin finally managed to end their dismal streak with a draw against FC Augsburg. The interim coaching duo of Marco Grote and Marie-Louise Eta led the Berliners to their first point in over two months.
Despite the draw, Union remains at the bottom of the table without a win since August. Grote and Eta, in their brief tenure, have attempted to lift the spirits of the professionals, and their efforts seemed to pay off as Union appeared more dynamic in attack.
The game began with Ermedin Demirovic converting a penalty for Augsburg to open the scoring. Union responded with a couple of missed opportunities before Augsburg nearly doubled their lead. A risky tackle by Gosens resulted in a penalty, which was saved by Union keeper Dahmen. The visitors also missed a chance, as Philipp Tietz came close to making it 2-0 just before halftime.
Union showed resilience, equalizing in the 88th minute through Kevin Volland's first goal for the club. The draw moved Union out of the bottom spot in the Bundesliga, providing some relief for the embattled team.
Union's next challenge comes in the Champions League, where they face SC Braga on Wednesday. A win in that game would secure their entry into the Europa League next year. In the Bundesliga, Union will face Bayern Munich next Saturday, hoping to secure their first victory since August.
Meanwhile, Augsburg will host Eintracht Frankfurt in their next match, aiming to maintain their mid-table position. Augsburg's new coach Jess Thorup has led the team to three draws in a row, keeping them unbeaten since his appointment.
Rumors of potential new coaches, such as Raúl, Alfred Schreuder, and Oliver Glasner, had arisen in the media following Urs Fischer's departure. However, Union president Dirk Zingler emphasized the importance of finding a coach with authenticity and a clear vision.
Union fans showed their gratitude to Fischer and his assistant Markus Hoffmann, who had guided the team to success during their tenure. Grote and Eta took over the reins for their first game, and while there were uncertainties, the team showed more dynamism in attack.
Upcoming Matches
1. FC Union Berlin
- February 15, 2025: Union Berlin vs. Borussia Monchengladbach at 9:30 AM ET (ESPN+)
- February 22, 2025: Borussia Dortmund vs. Union Berlin at 6:30 PM CET
- March 2, 2025: Union Berlin vs. Holstein Kiel at 9:30 AM ET
- March 9, 2025: Eintracht Frankfurt vs. Union Berlin at 9:30 AM ET
FC Augsburg
- February 22, 2025: FC Augsburg vs. Borussia VfL Mönchengladbach at 3:30 PM CET
- March 2, 2025: FC Augsburg vs. SC Freiburg at 5:30 PM CET
- March 8, 2025: FC Augsburg vs. Borussia Dortmund at 3:30 PM CET
- March 15, 2025: FC Augsburg vs. VfL Wolfsburg at 3:30 PM CET
With these matches looming, both teams will be looking to regain their winning form and climb up the table. Union's struggles in recent matches and the head-to-head record against Augsburg could pose challenges, but the draw against FC Augsburg offers a small glimmer of hope. For Augsburg, the unbeaten streak under new coach Jess Thorup could be a boon, providing the Swabians with the motivation they need to maintain their mid-table position. However, these are just general observations, and the actual outcomes will depend on various factors.
References:
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