Key Takeaways
- Marie-Louise Eta earned her first point as interim boss of Union Berlin following a spirited comeback against Köln.
- Substitutes Christopher Trimmel and Livan Burcu transformed the match, with Burcu netting his maiden Bundesliga strike.
- The Berlin club now stand on the brink of securing their top-flight status for another season.
Marie-Louise Eta celebrated a milestone in her interim reign as Union Berlin salvaged a crucial point against Köln on Saturday. The hosts staged a remarkable recovery, finding the net twice in the final twenty minutes to move closer to guaranteeing their safety in the Bundesliga.
“The lads gave their all on the pitch,” declared the pioneering coach following the final whistle. “With the equalizer, the stadium came alive again. That unleashed a lot of energy. The belief was there the whole time.”
Eta made five changes to the team that lost 3-1 to RB Leipzig on matchday thirty-one. Her decision to start Stanley Nsoki instead of the versatile Leopold Querfeld surprised many supporters, considering the defender’s recent errors.
“He had been training well and deserved a chance. That is why he started the match,” explained the thirty-four-year-old manager during her press conference.
However, the substitutes made the real difference. Christopher Trimmel and Livan Burcu came off the bench and transformed the game in the closing stages.
“I am delighted for him,” Eta said about the Turkey Under-21 international after his first Bundesliga goal. “He proved he can deliver in crucial moments. He possesses excellent finishing skills in the final third. He took control of the match and showed exactly what he has been doing in training.”
Burcu played last season on loan at Magdeburg in the second division.
Union Berlin could secure their top-flight status before they visit Mainz next weekend. Their former manager Urs Fischer now coaches Mainz. To guarantee safety this weekend, St. Pauli must lose to Mainz and Wolfsburg must fail to beat Freiburg on Sunday.