The 1st FC Union Berlin has achieved the first Bundesliga promotion in the club’s history with a 0:0 return match against VfB Stuttgart. After the 2:2 in the first leg, a goalless draw was enough for the Ironmen in a wild game. After 2016, Stuttgart is again in the 2nd league.
Compared to the first leg, Union coach Urs Fischer had to replace yellow-locked right-back Trimmel with Ryerson. In addition, Hübner came into play for Parensen. Ascacibar, Badstuber, Zuber and Aogo moved into the initial formation of the Stuttgartern for the also yellow sparrowed Kempf, Didavi, Castro and Insua.
The guests belonged to the very hectic initial phase. So Gikiewicz had to clear Kabak after only three minutes in the most difficult of circumstances. Especially over the left side of the Swabians there was a lot going on. So in the 12th minute the leading goal almost fell when Gonzalez set Donis in scene. Kabak and Badtstuber succeeded with Andresson in isolating the Iron’s starting station from the action.
Only after a good 15 minutes did Union come into play, a Reichel shot was blocked at the last second. Afterwards both teams played almost exclusively with long balls. It was not until minute 29 that Donis appeared dangerously in front of the Union goal. Stuttgart played the game (almost 60 percent ball possession), but the Ironmen managed to keep the ball out of the dangerous zone. And this is very variable, whether in 4-3-3 or 4-2-2.
With the start of the second half, VfB coach Willig brought Mario Gomez for Gonzalez. The Swabians thus switched from 4-2-3-1 to 4-3-1-2. The long balls now found a buyer in Gomez, but he also did not succeed in anything worth mentioning. About half an hour before the end, Prömel appeared dangerously in front of the finishers, but forgot the play equipment. Shortly afterwards Abdullahi only hit the post twice within two minutes.
Stuttgart did not score in the final phase. In the final phase, they threw everything forward, but could not pass the strong goalkeeper Gikiwiecz. Shortly before the end he held a great match against world champion Pavard.
Due to the burning of massive pyrotechnics, the impact of both halves was delayed. Again and again thick clouds of smoke drifted across the square.
The goalkeeper of the Iron Force had a lot to do. Was always on the spot and kept the host’s box clean with strong parades.
A very unfortunate appearance of the attacker. Although the first half of the game was mostly right, the goalkeeper was not able to get the leather into the goal several times from a promising position. With the inclusion of Gomez, his access to the game was lost. After a good hour he had to make room for Didavi.
Was challenged in the hectic game right from the start. It was right not to recognise Aogo’s goal after consulting the VAR because of Donis’s offside position. In the 32nd minute he should have whistled Aogo’s foul on Andersson shortly before the penalty area and punished it with yellow. The yellow card for Schmiedebach at the beginning of the second half was justified, but he should have waited for the advantage. It was also right not to decide on penalties in Kabak’s duel against Abdullahi.
