The European hero’s journey of 1. FC Union Berlin leads to the round of 16 of the Europa League. In the intermediate round, the Bundesliga side triumphed over Ajax Amsterdam. The Dutch champions are overwhelmed by the force of the Union team, and the stadium in Köpenick can hardly stop celebrating.
The mentality monsters of Union Berlin have once again made history and have stormed unstoppably into the round of 16 of the Europa League. Three days before the Bundesliga summit at FC Bayern, the passionately fighting high-flyers from Köpenick defeated the supposed favorites Ajax Amsterdam 3-1 (2-0) in the second round second leg. For the Dutch, however, the European Cup season is finally over after the preliminary round in the Champions League.
“What you experience here is incredible,” said captain Rani Khedira on RTL: “We left our hearts on the pitch and deserved to win. We’re enjoying the moment. It’s extraordinary.”
Robin Knoche (20th, hand penalty after video evidence), winter signing Josip Juranovic (44th) and Danilho Doekhi (50th) shot the Bundesliga third into the next round, which will be played on March 9th and 16th. Ghana’s World Cup shooting star Mohammed Kudus (47th) shortened for the guests in the meantime. Ajax defender Edson Alvarez saw yellow-red in stoppage time.
After the 0-0 in the first duel in the Netherlands a week ago, Union is in the top 16 and can hope for heavyweights like Arsenal in the round of 16 draw on Friday (12 p.m. / RTL). At the same time, the historic triumph for the club gave tailwind for the duel with Bayern, which Union on Sunday (5.30 p.m. / DAZN and in the live ticker on ntv.de) could overthrow from the top of the table.
The atmosphere in the sold-out An der Alten Försterei stadium was heated right from the start when both fan camps ignited pyrotechnics. In the first few minutes, Union was compact as usual in the tried and tested five-man chain, with little going forward – until suddenly the entire stadium cried out.
After a corner, Unions Doekhi Ajax professional Calvin Bassey headed the ball to his hand. To the annoyance of the Berlin supporters, referee Ricardo de Burgos (Spain) initially allowed the ball to continue, but based on the video images, decided on a penalty kick, which Knoche converted on the bottom left. Union’s defense chief was lucky, because guest goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli steered the ball to the inside post, from which it jumped into the net. Pyro promptly burned again in the Union block.
Ajax now tried more, but bit their teeth on the Union defense. There was always a leg, a foot or a head in the way. Or an Ajax professional was offside. Just like Kudus (43.), who had thrown a rebound from an illegal position into the goal, which was parried by Berlin keeper Frederik Rönnow. And fate was even kinder to Union. Almost in return, it was 2-0 when Rulli missed an actually harmless shot by Juranovic from around 18 meters.
Shortly after the break, the damper for Union: A cross from Ajax striker Steven Bergwijn sailed through the penalty area, Union did not get access and Kudus deflected the ball into the goal unstoppable. But the Berliners were not intimidated by this. Just three minutes later, Doekhi pushed a corner over the line. And the old forester exploded and breathed a sigh of relief shortly afterwards. Kudus (61st) aimed from ten meters and was only a hair’s breadth to the left. Union brought the result with a lot of commitment and passion over time.
