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Union Berlin’s season didn’t start the season as well as the team would’ve hoped, but that certainly didn’t get the fans down. After a comprehensive 4-0 defeat to RB Lepizig at their inaugural home game of the Bundesliga, fans were joyously singing at the Stadion An der Alten Förstere, celebrating their ascent to the Bundesliga for the first time in their history.
Wenn deine Mannschaft gerade zum Auftakt der neuen Saison 0:4 verloren hat. #fcurbl pic.twitter.com/pheMSzrffc
— Tagesspiegel Sport (@TspSport) August 18, 2019
The night was special in several respects, as the game also commemorated all the fans who passed away before Union Berlin achieved promotion to the Bundesliga.
An emotional evening for Union Berlin supporters, as past and present unite pic.twitter.com/WjukPci5qR
— Bundesliga English (@Bundesliga_EN) August 18, 2019
The matchup between the two clubs was a storybook narrative, as Lepizig are owned by Red Bull whereas Union Berlin is majority owned by the fans. Technically RB Lepizig are also majority owned by the fans, as that is a requirement for German clubs, but there are many reports that Lepizig’s fan owners are mere corporate shills who actually make no decisions when it comes to the direction of the club. Union Berlin took a jab at the mega-club, using Lepizig’s original logo before they were bought by Red Bull in their team program.
Union Berlin’s match programme for the game vs. Rasenballsport Leipzig use the emblem of BSG Turbine Markranstädt, the old name of the club from which RBL bought the playing license from.
“Football in Leipzig for old fans is naturally Chemie and Lok,” says the programme. #FCURBL pic.twitter.com/zETsqLJaWl
— Felix Tamsut (@ftamsut) August 18, 2019
Unfortunately, Lepizig’s game was too polished for Union Berlin to keep up, with brilliant young tactician Julian Nagelsman using a high press to force mistakes out of an untested Berlin side.
While the loss was likely frustrating for the players, the fans just seem to be happy to in the Bundesliga, and their high-spirits despite the loss, are why Union Berlin are one of the most loved teams in the league right now. Needless to say, this will be a special year for Union Berlin no matter what happens during the season, and I for one can’t wait to watch it unfold.
