1. FC Union Berlin just missed the next football miracle.
The European adventure of the "Iron" is over.
Due to the 1: 1 (0: 0) against the Czech champions Slavia Prague, the iron could no longer climb to second place in the difficult Group E of the Conference League at the last minute.
Ivan Schranz's goal (51st minute) sealed the end of the Köpenicker on Thursday evening in front of 5000 spectators in the bitterly cold Olympic Stadium.
Max Kruse's equalizer (64th) was too little in the end to avert the end.
After the promotion to the Bundesliga in 2019, two relegation, the sensational qualification for international business this spring and the current jump to sixth place in the league, the eternal underdog did not make the next sporting coup due to a too discouraged appearance and had to Slavia Prague Admission to the knockout playoffs in February.
There is no longer a German club in the new European Cup competition.
A return to the Olympic Stadium, which was used as an alternative location, is quick for Union.
On January 19th the derby against Hertha BSC is scheduled for the second round of the cup, then with Union as a visiting club.
“It's not like we're running wildly forward from the first minute,” said Fischer, despite his offensive line-up with Sheraldo Becker, Taiwo Awoniyi and Max Kruse as a three-man storm in the starting line-up.
One would need patience, Kruse correctly suspected.
A shot by the attacking star (18th) landed deflected on the goal net.
Prague had evidently studied the great Union danger at Umschaltspiel very well.
The Czech champions did not let themselves be tempted and even had the best chance of taking the lead up to then with a shot from the crossbar from Tomas Holes (34th).
Union had to invest more and risk more.
And did that immediately after switching sides.
Timo Baumgartl missed the chance to take the lead from close range.
All the more bitter: In return, the defender made a fatal bad pass.
Schranz thanked him with a targeted shot into the corner of the goal.
Union lost its order a little.
Peter Olayinka (55th) could have increased quickly, his shot bumped against the post.
The Unioners, however, continued to take their hearts in hand and pressed the balance.
But more than 1: 1 by Kruse no longer succeeded.