1. FC Union Berlin had the next breakthrough in the relegation battle of the Bundesliga in mind, in the end they only managed a 2-2 draw against 1. FC Heidenheim.
Union failed to improve after the unexpected victory in Hoffenheim, but with 25 points they still have a comfortable eight-point cushion over the relegation places.
Newly promoted Heidenheim also collected another point to stay in the league and climbed into the top half of the table with 28 points. The Heidenheimers will remain unbeaten away from home in 2024 and have only lost once in the last ten games.
Heidenheim caught Union cold right from the start, Nikola Dovedan, who returned to the starting line-up, scored the opening goal (3rd minute) after a sloppy return from Berlin’s Kevin Vogt.
Union with a double strike before the break
Union turned the game around with an unexpected double strike shortly before the break: First Robin Gosens used an involuntary assist from Heidenheim’s Patrick Mainka to luckily equalize (44th), then Andras Schäfer’s harmless shot landed, deflected off the back of Union striker Brendan Aaronson (45th + 2) takes the lead in the net.
Jan-Niklas Beste with the deserved equalizer for Heidenheim
With the lead behind them, Union found it easier and initially came out of the break with momentum. However, the Berliners were too cumbersome offensively – and remained vulnerable at the back: Jan-Niklas Beste moved faster than the entire Union defense on a long ball – and spoiled the Berliners’ possible fifth with the goal (71st) to make the final score 2-2 Home win in a row.
Heidenheim’s coach Frank Schmidt was then pleased with an “absolutely deserved point” and with the team’s “great reaction” after the unfortunate deficit, which meant that the promoted team remained firmly on course to stay in the league. “We have also improved away from home in the last few weeks,” said Schmidt at the Sportschau microphone. “With every success you believe in yourself, your self-confidence increases.”
Union coach Nenad Bjelica also spoke of a fair draw. Despite missing the fifth home win in a row, the series continues, said Bjelica at the Sportschau microphone: “We are still unbeaten at home. It continues, we are concentrating on the next game.”
Union now against BVB, Heidenheim against Frankfurt
Union’s next home game is next Saturday (3:30 p.m.) against Borussia Dortmund. Heidenheim will also play at home on matchday 24, against Eintracht Frankfurt.
2024-02-24 22:32:24
#Fighting #game #Alte #Försterei #Heidenheim #slows #Unions #race #catch
