October 22, (THEWILL) – On a rainy night in Rotterdam, Germany’s representative in the inaugural UEFA Europa European Conference League, Union Berlin, missed out on a chance to lead their group with a win. Instead, the Taiwo Awoniyi Bundesliga club dropped to the bottom of the group after suffering a 1-3 defeat.
Former SC Freiburg flop Guus Till proved to be the pivotal player for the victorious Eredivisie hosts. Union Berlin were spared further humiliation in the Netherlands thanks to the goal-post and a pair of clearances directly off the line.
Urs Fischer, Union’s manager, expected a tough game from the Dutch hosts. Due to the absence of defensive stalwart Marvin Friedrich (who is suffering from COVID-19), the coach went with a wide 3-4-3 formation, with Grischa Prömel, Rani Khedira, and Kevin Möhwald working directly ahead of Timo Baumgartl, Robin Knoche, and Paul Jaeckel. Fischer went with the big guns up top, a Max Kruse-Awoniyi two-striker combination.
Former SC Freiburg midfielder Guus Til set up Alireza Jahanbakhsh’s goal in the 11th minute to give the hosts an early lead. Shortly before the half-hour mark, Bryan Linssen doubled the lead.
Union had a ray of hope less than five minutes later when Trimmel provided one of his outstanding services from the corner flag. The ball was finished off by the ever-dependable Awonyi with a deft header, and the German visitors went into the locker room trailing by only one goal.
The match was still within reach for Union even if Feyenoord had the upper hand in terms of creating chances. Several times, it was the FCU goalkeeper Andreas Luthe that had to save his team from conceding. During the first half-hour after the restart, neither side was able to break through.
After a failed clearance, Till was able to slip through due to a defensive lapse in the Union ranks. Linssen, a 23-year-old Dutch international, was then set up for a point-blank effort by the 23-year-old Dutch international. Luthe made a save, but Linus Sinisterra buried the rebound for the game-winning goal.
Awoniyi was replaced by Kevin Behrens six minutes after the hour mark. So far this season, the striker has notched up two goals in three appearances in continental competition. Since joining Union Berlin on a permanent basis from Liverpool, he has scored 10 goals and provided two assists in 14 appearances across all competitions.
Unfortunately, ahead of the match, there were some disturbing events with fans of the Eredivisie side attacking officials of Union Berlin. Feyenoord condemned as “totally reprehensible” the attack in a Rotterdam restaurant on top officials of their Bundesliga opponents.
Union president Dirk Zingler and director Oskar Kosche were sitting outside the restaurant with some others when a group of men began hurling missiles, including glasses and chairs, according to reports in the Netherlands.
Those assaulted suffered “minor injuries” according to Feyenoord, who also declared that those responsible had no right to call themselves supporters of the Eredivisie club.
Feyenoord confirmed the attack on Wednesday evening in the city centre in a statement that read: “It was a totally reprehensible event that should not happen to anyone who is a guest in the city for what should be a beautiful European football night.
“Feyenoord thinks it is terrible that this has happened to representatives of Union Berlin. The club therefore distances itself in every possible way from the people who have reduced themselves to this cowardly act and believes that no one who portrays Feyenoord and the city in such an insane way in a negative light can and should call themselves a supporter.
“The club cannot get over the fact that people think it is in any way acceptable to display such behaviour.”
On Thursday, November 4, Union Berlin will play Feyenoord in a rematch.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
