The Situation
After 16 match days the 1. FC Union Berlin still remains undefeated as the only team in the 2nd Bundesliga. They had to share the points again, as often in the last weeks, but the team from East Berlin remains with 28 points on the third place.
Yesterday on Sunday afternoon, they were guests at the 16th of the table, the 1. FC Magdeburg. On paper it was a easily manageable task, but it turned out to be much more difficult than expected.
Magdeburg who wasn't able to win any of their last 8 games and is therefore ranked deep in the table bottom, wanted to show their best side in this prestigious duel. For the two teams it was the first meeting since 10 years, a few decades ago they were competing regularly in the then East German Oberliga.
At that time Union was regularly the underdog, but those times have changed for several years now. Recently Union Berlin has permanently knocking on the door of the highest German league, the Bundesliga whereas FC Magdeburg is playing their very first season ever in the 2nd league and the foremost goal must be avoiding relegation.
The Match
In front of 23,149 spectators, the host began extremely powerful and Union had some trouble to get into the game. Especially the otherwise so strong defense had some problems, but could repeatedly rely on defender Hübner, who was able to safe several times in hairy situation.
But in the 23rd minute it were almost the guests from Berlin who surprisingly took the lead. Suleiman Abdullahi got under pressure and was defeated by FCM keeper Alexander Brunst.
Shortly afterwards, Union's Zulj had some two more big chances when Zulj, one of which landed on the crossbar.
So it was the team from Magdeburg, which finally has the first opportunity to cheer. In the 39th minute Christian Beck lobed the ball over Union goalkeeper Rafal Giekiewicz into the net and scored the lead for the host team.
During break, Union coach Urs Fischer changed over. For Suleiman Abdullahi came Akaki Gogia and the guests from now on dominated the game.
In the 65th minute it was the 26-year-old Gogia who scored the deserved equalizer from 11 meters distance.
Unfortunately from Union view it remained with this result, the hosts were visibly happier about the point sharing than the team from Berlin. To the table leader from Hamburg it is now already 6 points distance and also the second placed team from Cologne is already 5 points ahead.
Aftermath
Even after today's match, Union still has the best defence of the league, which has only allowed 12 goals in the 16 matches so far. An important factor for the good results this season. There are 10 draws against 6 wins, Union has not even lost once yet this season. A truly remarkable series that will hopefully last for a long time to come.
Up to the winter break there are still 2 games, in which Union could still get 6 points with optimal yield. On the next match day on Saturday the will welcome VfL Bochum to the Alte Försterei stadium and the fans of " die Eisernen" are more than eager to support their team with all their might to win 3 points at least in their home games.
We can assume that fans and players of the team from the Eastern Berlin suburb Köpenick will be on fire again next weekend. Outside the stadium Alte Försterei you will probably feel the chilly December weather, but the atmosphere in the stadium will let the temperatures rise again to maximum levels.
Be aware and prepared!
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