Freiburg (AP) – Max Kruse disappeared quickly. The attacker from 1. FC Union Berlin was only allowed to watch as his team ended their negative run at SC Freiburg on Saturday. Even without Kruse, who returned to the squad after an eleven-week injury break, Union prevailed 1-0 (0-0) in Breisgau. Grischa Prömel (64th minute) scored the first success with his header after five games without a win.
“I think it was a very good performance from us, otherwise we would not have been able to win in Freiburg,” said Union coach Urs Fischer. In fact, his team had worked with great concentration, especially defensively, for over 90 minutes. Even without Kruse. “In the end, it’s not about Max Kruse, but about the success of the whole,” said Fischer. “Max has to be patient a little longer.”
Thanks to the victory, Union passed the SC in the table and shortened the gap to the European Cup places. But also the Freiburg coach Christian Streich are still in the secured midfield of the league. “Union is extremely difficult to play with with an incredible physicality,” said Streich. “I don’t know any other team in the Bundesliga with this kind of appearance.”
In any case, you didn’t notice the most recent negative series among the Berliners. Fischer’s team was the more active from the start. Instead of waiting, the guests attacked early. More than a harmless overhead kick from Joel Pohjanpalo (16.), a subsequent whistle blow by Christopher Lenz (20.) and a long-range shot by Robert Andrich (29) did not jump out. As a result, a tough game developed because the Freiburgers could not find a means against the dense Union defensive.
After an eleven week injury break, Kruse was allowed to warm up for a long time in the Black Forest Stadium, but was not substituted on. At least there was a verbally heated duel between the two brothers Nico and Keven Schlotterbeck in Breisgau. While Nico played through for the Berliner, Keven came in in the second round. Otherwise the long tough game offered only a few interesting stories.
Since the SC hardly developed any scoring opportunities, Loris Karius experienced a relaxed afternoon in the Berlin gate. The 27-year-old was again in the starting line-up because Andreas Luthe hadn’t even started the trip to Freiburg. “Our team defended in solidarity for over 90 minutes and implemented the plan very well,” praised Fischer.
Streich, however, saw little of his team. It was not until the 52nd minute that the Freiburg team became dangerous for the first time. After a cross from Jonathan Schmid, Lucas Höler only headed the ball onto the goal net. Union did better twelve minutes later. Instead of over the gate, Prömel promoted a fine cross from Marcus Ingvartsen into the net. In the 83rd minute, the substitute Petar Musa should have increased it to 2-0, but failed from a tight angle on the strong SC keeper Florian Müller.
© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210220-99-524098 / 3
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