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Berlin (dpa) - seventh place after 23 rounds, with 34 points a whopping five points more than at the same time in the promotion season: 1. FC Union is way above plan.

The most prominent professional of the Berlin first division soccer club remains critical and wants more - personally and as a team.

“As far as the game is concerned, it has to be said that we happily took a point today.

We had a shot on goal and that was the penalty, ”said Max Kruse after the 1-1 draw against TSG 1899 Hoffenheim.

The draw split Kruse's club and also the opponent.

The protagonists of both camps fluctuated between satisfaction and the feeling of not having achieved the optimum.

KRUSES COMEBACK: The ex-national player was allowed to play again for 74 minutes after an injury break of almost three months, more than planned.

He scored his seventh goal of the season ice cold from the penalty spot, and also showed "in one or the other action what quality he is," said Union coach Urs Fischer.

Kruse wants more, the necessary game fitness can only be achieved through the competitions: “Now we have another week.

I hope that I will then be back on the pitch longer. "

EUROPACUP: Nobody wants to announce new goals with the «Iron», officially it is still about staying in the class.

“It's really not an issue in the dressing room.

We want to continue like this until we are sure to stay in the league.

It will not be discussed beforehand, ”explained Captain Christopher Trimmel.

Eleven game days before the end of the Bundesliga season, however, 16 points ahead of the relegation place in relegation hardly leave any doubt.

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INCREASED DEMANDS: This is also illustrated by Kruse's reaction after the game.

"After the 1-0 win, we played a bit anxiously, and that has been going on throughout the season," said the 32-year-old.

After a tour, "give way a little and go back - we have to turn that off," said Kruse.

«Hoffenheim had the better playground today.

If it's not offside just before the end, we lose. "

TSG-ÄRGER: A report in the "Bild" newspaper, according to which Hoffenheim are supposedly looking for a new coach after the mixed season so far and especially the bitter end in the Europa League, described TSG sports director Alexander Rosen as "dirty Lie ”and“ mess ”.

The appearance at Union with a big increase in chances proved that the team works and has character.

"The answer was clear today," said Rosen.

Head coach Sebastian Hoeneß was proud of his team despite the missed victory in Berlin: "It was important to get up again, the guys did that today."

© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210301-99-634429 / 2

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Squad 1. FC Union

Schedule 1. FC Union

TSG Hoffenheim squad

Schedule TSG Hoffenheim