Europa League: Union Berlin also loses against SC Braga

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Braga's Uros Racic escapes from Rani Khedira

Photo: Luis Vieira / dpa

Union Berlin is still not in the Europa League.

After the opening defeat against St. Gilloise from Belgium, the Bundesliga leaders also lost 0-1 (0-0) at the Portuguese SC Braga, Vitinha scored the goal of the day (77th minute).

In the Estádio Municipal in Braga, built by the Portuguese club on the edge of an impressive rock massif, Union expected the nominally strongest opponent in Group D: Braga is also unbeaten in the league, has the most dangerous offensive after six match days and is second in the table.

Unlike Union, the Portuguese were also able to win their opening match in the Europa League against Malmö FF.

So the Köpenickers had to deal with an opponent at eye level – and offered the spectators a game at eye level.

A first chance from Sheraldo Becker was deflected by Braga's goalkeeper Matheus to a corner, which was then headed to the crossbar by Union defender Diogo Leite, who was loaned to Braga in the previous season (15').

Shortly before the break, Braga also missed a great opportunity to take the lead in a game that was largely played in midfield, Simon Banza failed from a tight angle at Union goalkeeper Frederik Rønnow (45 + 2).

Now hibernation will be difficult

After the change of ends, goal-area scenes were rare, Julian Ryerson scored one of the rare shots just wide of the far post (48th).

After that, almost nothing came from Union, Braga was not overwhelmingly dominant, but more active than the guest.

In the end, Vitinha's quick thinking was enough to win in one scene: Rønnow only deflected a long-range shot to the side, Vitinha got the ball in front of his opponents and sank the follow-up shot from a tight angle (77').

The final offensive in Berlin did not bring any top-class chances and certainly no more goals.

Union are already six points short of spending the winter in the Europa League, and St. Gilloise also won the second game in Group D and are level on points behind Braga with six points in second place.

Like Union, Malmö is still without a point, the Swedes will welcome Köpenicker on October 6th for the next group game.

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