1. FC Union Berlin: Defeat against Leverkusen and commercial criticism: “Quo vadis Union?”

The fans of 1. FC Union have not forgotten the suffering during the years of the sporting boom. As atmospheric as ever, they accompanied the 90 minutes on Saturday in which their hopeless team bravely defended themselves against Bayer Leverkusen. And of course the players were celebrated again after the 0-1 score. “Quo vadis Union?” This question – posed on a large banner on the side of the forest – was not about the sporting future. After the 28th matchday, this means more than ever: relegation battle. Rather, the fans are once again worried about the values ​​of their club.

The Köpenick club currently only produces big headlines away from the football field. Since Thursday, the Berliners have been present throughout Germany – in more than 80 cinemas, with the documentary “Union – The Best of All Days”. Stadium spokesman Christian Arbeit spread the good news that this very successful social portrait by Annekatrin Hendel had already been seen by more than 8,000 people on the Saturday before kick-off. What came next was alien to all Unioners. The criticism of this could again be read on the Wald website: “Home games in white – just for this advertising crap?”

Poor soccer parents

The traditional red had to give way – and the Star Trek logo was emblazoned on the white jerseys of the Berlin footballers. The club previously celebrated this “Starfleet Delta” as “iconic” – in a detailed press release, which also advertised the start of the final season of the series “Star Trek: Discovery” and the “exclusive” and very limited special jersey. Cost: 90 euros. Parents can also make the children’s version of the special jersey; for 70 euros, the little ones can wear the members of the “Paw Patrol” on their chests.

What does all this have to do with Union? Very little, but the jersey sponsor is the rights holder for these films. On top of that. “SVP Streaming Northern, Central and Eastern Europe at Paramount,” is the title of Sabine Anger. She wrote about “our team” – in the foreword to the stadium booklet for the game against Leverkusen. And İlkay Gündoğan was also there, on two sides, in the German national jersey, from supplier Adidas, whose three stripes also carry Union’s playing kit. “Quo vadis Union?” The fans’ concerns are understandable, criticism is necessary.

Evidence of overwhelm

Captain Christopher Trimmel used the philosophical principle of “criticism and self-criticism”. “It would have been nice if we had finished the game with eleven and not caused a penalty.” Shortly before the half-time whistle, Union’s left winger Robin Gosens had seen the yellow-red card. The foul on their own baseline was the final proof of how overwhelmed they were that afternoon; almost all of Bayer Leverkusen’s dangerous attacks up to that point had come through his side. In the throng of the free kick that followed, Trimmel fended off the ball with a punishable handball, and Florian Wirtz safely converted the penalty.

When outnumbered, the Berliners were better, but still clearly inferior. The numbers: The once again strong goalkeeper Frederik Rönnöw had the most ball contacts, Alex Král, Josip Juranovic and Benedict Hollerbach, who were substituted after more than an hour of play, had the most shots on goal, assists for shots on goal and crosses.

Almost champions Leverkusen

“It’s fun to watch them, but not to play against them,” summarized Trimmel. In the first half hour his team barely got out of their own half. The guests were hardly annoyed by the fact that Leverkusen’s dominance in the second half was no longer quite as oppressive despite the majority and that Union was able to cause danger with a few corners. Bayer coach Xabi Alonso smiled and spoke of a loss of “control.” After all, Bayer not only remained unbeaten with their 24th win in their 28th Bundesliga game, but FC Bayern Munich were also unsuccessful again in Heidenheim. Master Leverkusen? “Almost,” replied midfield strategist Granit Xhaka.

18 points are still up for grabs this season, Bayer’s lead is 16 points over Munich and Stuttgart, who are now tied on points. The title can therefore be awarded next weekend. In the relegation battle, however, things are getting tighter: the penultimate Cologne won against Bochum, Mainz came in 16th in the relegation place against Darmstadt. Union’s lead over the weekend’s two winners has melted to seven and six points respectively. “We have to get the points against opponents where we have more chances,” says Trimmel.