1. FC Union : Back in Berlin grey

It was really uncomfortable on Monday morning in Köpenick. Via the training course of the 1. FC Union trailed by fog, it was grey, it was drizzling and so it felt much colder than it actually was. There are certainly more pleasant places in the world. Beaches in the Middle East, or the area around Cape town. Some professionals will certainly have longingly thought of their holiday homes back, as they had to order shortly after ten for the first Training of the year in the Berlin cold.

The Ball is rolling again, next to the Alte Försterei, two weeks after the disappointing 0:3 in the floodplain of the Berlin soccer is second-tier in the new football year. "The holiday was not very long," says captain Christopher Trimmel. "The coach has said a few words and then it went relatively quickly." The spectator crowd was kept within limits. Just three Fans got lost on the training ground, but this had probably more to do with the weather and the workers are unfriendly time than it is to do with the first League defeat just before Christmas.

damper before the winter break. In Aue Union 0:3 lost, Christopher Trimmel (right) believes, however, that the first...photo: Daniel Schäfer/dpa

was On the lawn, it is significantly busier than at the edge of the field. All 28 professionals were there, no one had missed his plane or on holiday injured. Supposed to all happened before in professional football. Even Simon Hedlund, who would leave the club, and was back in time from the home, even if he was not so recognize the dick wrapped with a black hat and face drawn fleece is not so easy. Only Marc Torrejon trained in part, individually, the rest of the squad is as fit as it is after two weeks of vacation. It was just a relaxed kick-off. A couple of laps to Warm up, and pass exercises, the Game shifts and a final tournament, eight against eight, with three teams.

The next opponent: Köln and St. Pauli

Much has changed not to be at the Union – and this is only too understandable. Because even if the Berlin are now no longer undefeated, their chances of a first promotion to the Bundesliga continue to be intact. As the Fourth Union are three points behind the play-off position. "In the past years, we always had a kink, where we played badly and sometimes three or four games not to have won," says Trimmel. This has not happened before in this season and the captain is confident that it stays in the back round. "We have developed so that we bring constant good performances, and I am convinced that we can also deal with defeats."

the basic approach you in a Union. From the rise of Trimmel don't want to talk. "In my experience, it is easier if you look from week to week." A little look ahead, the captain allowed, however. "The first games direction," says Trimmel on the upcoming task against the table neighbours is Cologne (31. January) and St. Pauli (4. February).

Before the training camp is however still. As of Saturday Union flees from the Berlin grey for eight days in the southern Spanish Jerez. "The training camp I'm actually looking forward to, because I'm honest," says Trimmel. "I'd rather sleep in my own bed, and with Berlin's dark in the Winter, I can handle quite well."

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Second division 0:3 in Aue - 1. FC Union conceded first defeat

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