Union Berlin 2-2 Cologne
Marie-Louise Eta has revived hope for a Union Berlin side now on the verge of escaping relegation. After falling 2-0 behind against Cologne, they fought back to secure a 2-2 draw—ending a three-match winless run and picking up their first point since the coaching change.
Union Berlin made a groundbreaking move following their defeat to Heidenheim, sacking Steffen Baumgart and appointing Marie-Louise Eta as the first female head coach in any of Europe’s top five leagues. She started with back-to-back losses against Wolfsburg and Leipzig. However, after trailing 0-2 at home to Cologne, the team mounted a spirited fightback to salvage a crucial point (2-2), restoring belief and keeping survival within reach.
Beyond the absence of goalkeeper Ronnow, Eta made several tactical adjustments compared to the side that lost to Leipzig the previous week. Nsoki slotted into the back three, Kemlein joined Schäfer and Rani Khedira in midfield, and Ansah returned to partner Burke in a two-man attack.
The 3-5-2 formation remained unchanged. But just as Union Berlin began to look comfortable, Waldschmidt got behind the defense and pulled the ball back for Marius Bülter, who fired a powerful shot into the near top corner from the edge of the box to make it 0-1 in the 33rd minute. Said El Mala was alert in the build-up, deliberately letting the ball run knowing he was in an offside position.
Union seemed to lift their game at the start of the second half. However, after Eta introduced Burcu, Trimmel, and Ilic in a triple substitution, it was Said El Mala who doubled the lead in the 61st minute. Lund drove to the byline and found the German forward in the heart of the box, continuing his strong case for a World Cup call-up under Julian Nagelsmann. El Mala has now produced 16 goals this season.
Union refused to give up. Trimmel’s right foot delivered a corner in the 73rd minute, finding Tom Rothe at the far post, who powered a header home to reduce the deficit. Pushing for the equalizer, they found it in the 89th minute through a thunderous strike from Burcu.
With this result, Union Berlin leapfrog Cologne in the standings. With two matches left in the season, they are now seven points clear of St. Pauli, who occupy the relegation playoff spot. If St. Pauli lose to Mainz on Saturday, Union Berlin will mathematically secure their survival.