“We didn’t just want to show that we can play nice football, but also that we can pick up points.” This was something SC had done very well at the start of the campaign, but after picking up just three points from their previous five games, this had not been the case recently. Sport-Club lined up with a three-at-the-back formation in Berlin. Keven Schlotterbeck returned to the starting XI, but it wasn’t in place of his brother, but rather that of Kevin Schade. After being forced off in the game against Hoffenheim due to injury, Nico Schlotterbeck got back to full fitness before the trip to Berlin and was part of the starting line-up. There was one further change in attack as Wooyeong Jeong came in for Ermedin Demirovic. 

5,000 spectators were permitted to attend the fixture which got off to a lively start during which Mark Flekken was forced into action on two occasions- firstly against Sheraldo Becker, and then against Genki Haraguchi. At the other end, Maximilian Eggestein got unlucky as his deflected shot struck the bar (5’). But these early chances would remain the only real opportunities for some time, as the game began to calm down and the two sides were much more controlled in their play and were more defensively resolute. Streich’s side were not pressing as high as in recent matches, as they were aware of the danger posed by Union’s long balls over the top. But despite this, the next good chance would fall to Taiwo Awoniyi in the 23rd minute. 

SCF’s attack found it tough to create goal-scoring opportunities against Union’s resolved defence. It was only just after the half-hour mark that Lucas Höler played it through to Wooyeong Jeong’s path, and he was able to get on the end of the pass, but FCU keeper Andreas Luthe was on hand to deny a goal. “We witnessed an intense game tonight. We weren’t accurate enough in our play during the opening 20 minutes, and on the whole, Union were a tad better than us in the first half,” summarised Streich. 

Kübler in prime position to score the opener, but his shot was saved 

The second half began with some neat SCF play down the left flank, which culminated in Höler setting up Vincenzo Grifo, whose effort missed the mark by mere inches. SC looked refreshed when they came out for the second period and Grifo had another shot on Union’s goal- on this occasion, he fired narrowly over (49’), Captain Christian Günter & Co. Began to control the game and had a great chance for 1-0 in the 57th minute. Following a Niko Gießelmann mistake, Lukas Kübler had a free shot on goal, but his effort was too central to cause Luthe any real problems. 

The hosts got their first real chance of the second half in the 66tht minute – but then worked a second opportunity straight afterwards. The bar came to the rescue for SC on the first occasion, and Lukas Kübler was on hand to clear an FCU shot which came through a sea of bodies off the line. SCF got lucky in this period of the second half, which until then they had basically dominated. These two, quick-fire chances gave the hosts momentum and belief, and they came again, this time Grischa Prömel’s effort went just wide from Becker’s cross (75’). Berlin did not let up and the intensity of the match increased significantly during the final 15 minutes. However, it was Freiburg who had the final goal-scoring chance of the game. Günter crossed in from the free-kick and Philipp Lienhart attempted to head home from six yards in what was a glorious opportunity which was caught well by Luthe. Keven Schlotterbeck and Rani Khedira were in agreement after the final whistle: “Two evenly-matched sides faced off against one another today. The draw is a fair result.” Streich was also satisfied with the point but still believed there was more in it for his team. “We had two really good chances in the second half. I would have preferred for us to take one of these and to have won.” 

SC still have one more chance at victory in 2021 when they face Bayer 04 Leverkusen at home this Sunday in what is their final match of the year as well as before the winter break.