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Amsterdam's goalkeeper prevented the Berlin leadership
Photo: IMAGO/ Ajax Amsterdam v FC Union Berlin / IMAGO/ANP
The surprise team of the Bundesliga also impressed in the intermediate round of the Europa League.
With a 0-0 draw at Ajax Amsterdam, Union Berlin got a good starting position in the fight for a place in the round of 16.
The second leg will take place in Berlin next Thursday.
The Berliners were clearly the better team and had the best chance of winning through Morten Thorsby in the 65th minute.
But the goal didn't count because of handball.
The game between the third in the Dutch league and the second in the Bundesliga started in fog in Amsterdam and initially went on without much risk.
Ajax had the ball but no ideas on how to break through the Berlin defence.
Union switched quickly when winning the ball and occupied the Ajax defense without becoming particularly dangerous.
The first better chance to score came in the 32nd minute when Union's Sheraldo Becker blocked a long-range shot.
Shortly thereafter, Jérôme Roussillon fired another shot from Berlin, which missed the goal by only a few meters.
Union got into the game better and better against an opponent who has been disappointing in terms of sport this season and who recently appointed a new coach in ex-defender Johnny Heitinga.
At the start of the second half, Ajax appeared to have suddenly woken up, but that impression didn't last long.
Union continued to have better chances.
In the 54th minute, winter signing Josip Juranović forced Amsterdam keeper Gerónimo Rulli to save from a free-kick, and a minute later Thorsby had their best chance after a remarkable play.
In the penalty area, he headed the ball from a central position, but the goalkeeper was able to prevent the 0:1 here as well.
The opening goal was long overdue and then Thorsby celebrated after putting the ball in the goal from almost ten meters (65th minute).
But the joy didn't last long.
After viewing the video images, the referees recognized an alleged handball by Thorsby when accepting the ball.
A goal should no longer fall.
The progress in this duel remains open.
A few other teams, on the other hand, are already in the next round: the eight group winners of the Europa League group stage, which ended before the World Cup in Qatar, will join them in the round of 16.
These include SC Freiburg and FC Arsenal.
The pairings of this round will be held from March 9th.
Jan
