Marie-Louise Eta has suffered another setback as the new coach of Bundesliga side Union Berlin, experiencing her second defeat in as many games. With this loss, Union could find themselves in serious relegation danger.
The Köpenickers, largely outmatched, deservedly lost 3-1 to RB Leipzig on Friday. If their rivals secure wins over the weekend, Union’s lead over the 16th-placed relegation play-off spot could shrink to just three points.
«You can see where RB Leipzig stands. They are not at the top for no reason. We knew what to expect, that high quality was coming our way. We still had a lot planned. We are disappointed with the result,» Eta commented to Sky.
Goals from RB Leipzig’s Max Finkgräfe (22nd minute), Romulo (25th minute), and Ridle Baku (63rd minute) sealed the victory for the home side. Danilho Doekhi (78th minute) scored Union’s consolation goal. With only three games remaining, it is entirely possible that Union (32 points) could slip further down the table. FC St. Pauli, currently in 16th place with 26 points, can close the gap on Saturday at 3:30 PM against bottom-placed 1. FC Heidenheim.
Meanwhile, Leipzig can almost certainly plan for Champions League qualification after their fifth consecutive win. With 62 points, RB sits in third place, but could potentially challenge second-placed Borussia Dortmund (64 points) for the runner-up position in the final sprint.
«We absolutely want to get points. We are going to Leipzig to take something with us,» Union’s interim coach Eta had stated before the match against the Saxons. However, in contrast to their 1-2 defeat against VfL Wolfsburg in her debut, where Union created numerous chances but failed to convert enough, Berlin found themselves initially pushed onto the defensive.
Another Loss for Eta: Union Falls in Leipzig
Leipzig pressed from the outset. When Union goalkeeper Frederik Rönnow saved a cross from Yan Diomande, defender Leopold Querfeld headed the ball to Finkgräfe, who scored from the edge of the penalty area. Three minutes later, Querfeld was again involved when he was outpaced by striker Romulo after a long ball from RB keeper Maarten Vandevoordt. The Brazilian poked the ball past the onrushing Rönnow and into the net.
To make matters worse, Rönnow was injured shortly after while taking a goal kick, and substitute Carl Klaus (31st minute) came on – and was immediately tested by the relentless Leipzig attack. Klaus just managed to tip a header from Christoph Baumgartner (34th minute) onto the crossbar. The ball landed there again after Union captain Christopher Trimmel (40th minute) attempted to clear a deflected shot from Christoph Baumgartner.
Out of nowhere, Union’s Oliver Burke (45th+2 minute) had a chance to equalize just before halftime following a Leipzig turnover; however, the Scotsman lost possession in his duel with Maarten Vandevoordt. Immediately after halftime, Union offered little, and RB dominated at will. The strong Diomande set up Baku with a fantastic pass before the right-back definitively decided the match. Doekhi’s headed goal from a corner came too late.