Union Berlin actually qualified for European business on the last day of the match. Whether the iron will be allowed to play in their own stadium is questionable – as are some personal details for the coming season.
Union Berlin would like to celebrate in front of the supporters in the Conference League An der Alten Försterei.
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After a short night, those responsible at 1. FC Union Berlin were back on duty on Sunday. President Dirk Zingler, managing director of professional football Oliver Ruhnert and trainer Urs Fischer faced the journalists in a VIP lounge to take stock of the 2020/21 season that ended on Saturday. The team had already met in the stadium for breakfast, and Fischer commented with a smile: “Everyone was there.”
“Das Geile”: Union scored twelve points at home against the top 6
As expected, the résumé of those in charge of the iron is positive about the extent, the great bewilderment at the consequences of the late 2-1 success over RB Leipzig – which meant qualifying for the play-offs for the Europa Conference League – prevails in Berlin-Köpenick however not. “We are aware of what has happened and what we have achieved,” said Fischer, even if the coach admits: “It takes time to process the whole thing.” Because, according to Ruhnert, the 2020/21 season of the Eiserne is undoubtedly “to be described as extraordinary”, and that also because “seventh place comes from the results”, as Zingler noted.
For the club boss, the results of the Iron at the Alte Försterei against the first six of the league were a highlight of the season. “That’s cool,” said the 56-year-old with a view to the home games against FC Bayern (1: 1), Leipzig (2: 1), Dortmund (2: 1), Wolfsburg (2: 2), Frankfurt ( 3: 3) and Leverkusen (1: 0), from which Union scored twelve points.
But with the Iron, the eyes are already directed towards the future. “Joy of what has been achieved, departure for the next”, that is Ruhnert’s equation. And as far as the short-term future is concerned, there is a lot to do with moving into international business. For example, Union is aiming for the play-off home game for the Conference League on August 19 or 26 (and any others) despite the strict UEFA rules (only seats for international games) to be held in the stadium at the Alte Försterei.
According to UEFA regulations, Union would currently only be able to play in front of 3,617 visitors instead of the possible 22,012 fans, because the iron club’s home only has seats in the main stand. Zingler does not categorically rule out moving to another stadium – including the Olympic Stadium, the venue of city rivals Hertha BSC – and emphasizes: “If we play in Europe, we have to stick to the rules.” However, the entrepreneur makes it very clear: “The first goal remains the old forestry department.” The president continued to hold talks with UEFA and look for precedents in the European Cup.
A major upheaval is imminent: Nine players are already gone, four newcomers have been confirmed
In the next few weeks until the start of the medical tests on June 28th and 29th, not only the administration of the Iron has a lot to deal with, but also the sports management. After Union on Saturday in Loris Karius, Taiwo Awoniyi (both back to Liverpool FC), Christian Gentner (still unknown), Joel Pohjanpalo (back to Leverkusen), Petar Musa (back to Slavia Prague), Nico Schlotterbeck (back to SC Freiburg ), Florian Huebner (changes to 1. FC Nürnberg), Christopher Lenz (changes to Eintracht Frankfurt) and Akaki Gogia (still unknown) said goodbye to a total of nine players, a change could be imminent this summer.
Especially since top performers like Marvin Friedrich or Robert Andrich have certainly aroused the interest of other clubs. “A squad is always fragile until the transfer period ends,” says Ruhnert, who made it clear on Sunday that he will irrevocably return to Breisgau, Schlotterbeck, who was on loan from SC Freiburg.
When Union starts preparations at the end of June, a large part of the squad should be back if possible, to which the previous four additions Rani Khedira (FC Augsburg), Paul Jaeckel (SpVgg Greuther Fürth), Levin Öztunali (FSV Mainz 05) and Tymoteusz Puchacz ( Lech Posen). It is questionable whether this will work as it did in the past two years. In any case, the entire team should be vaccinated as completely as possible against Corona at the start of training.
Consequences after celebrations possible
The allegation that there was criticism of the celebrations on Saturday at the Alte Fösterei in the social networks – according to the police, around 4,000 fans gathered in the parking lot on the stadium grounds after the game to celebrate with the team, although not always Corona rules have been adhered to – “we assume and accept it”, said Zingler. “Still, we’re not going to handle the entire situation lightly. We’ll see if there are any consequences. But we’re prepared for it.” According to Zingler, Union had intentionally left the supporters in the parking lot after the game to prevent chaotic conditions.
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