After his aspect defeated Ajax 3-1 to qualify for the Europa League final 16 on Thursday, a smiling Union Berlin boss Urs Fischer mentioned merely “the madness goes on”. The following cease on Union’s ‘insane’ journey? German powerhouses Bayern Munich on Sunday. Union sit alongside Bayern and fellow powerhouses Borussia Dortmund atop the Bundesliga, separated solely by aim distinction – a pre-season final result possible past the goals of even essentially the most formidable Unioner. Shortly after beating Ajax on Thursday, with Union’s gamers dancing in entrance of the all-standing terraces, the followers started a chant, promising to “pull the Lederhosen off the Bavarians”.

Not like Bayern, who’ve received the Bundesliga greater than the remainder of German golf equipment mixed, Union’s trophy cupboard is comparatively empty, that means followers have a special understanding of what ‘success’ actually means.

‘Do not care about outcome’

American striker Jordan Siebatcheu has fitted proper in after arriving in summer season, scoring three targets and laying on two assists in his first six video games.

He informed AFP “clear communication plus the great group of fellows helped me to adapt to the system early and enhance myself.”

“The followers are wonderful. They do not care in regards to the outcome.

“Does not matter if German Cup, Bundesliga or friendlies, they’re there.

“Subsequently, we have to hold going for the followers.”

Siebatcheu is assured the event won’t get to the guests on Sunday.

“We do not care if we play in opposition to Schalke or Munich.

‘Do a Leicester’

Englishman John Richter’s love for the membership is so robust that after flying to Berlin for dozens of matches a yr, he determined to maneuver to Germany in the summertime “due to Union.”

Richter, 58, informed AFP he determined whereas standing on the grass of Union’s Alte Foersterei stadium after the membership had secured promotion to the highest division in 2019.

“The playoff in opposition to Stuttgart, once we have been celebrating on the pitch, that evening was one of many biggest nights of my life.

“I simply thought I have to get to extra matches and I have to be in Berlin extra typically.”

For former Liverpool fan Richter, who acquired a German passport by way of his father, supporting Union gives a connection to a much less business sport with a purer fan tradition.

“Standing on a terrace” at Union, Richter mentioned “I recaptured my youth.”

Oliver Jauer, who contributes to Union weblog and podcast Textilvergehen, got here along with his dad as a two-year-old and has stood with the membership since.

“I am grateful I did not insurgent in opposition to my father” Jauer, now 41, informed AFP.

In terms of titles, Jauer echoes the stoic pragmatism of supervisor Fischer, however admits “I feel I am one of many few folks I do know who actively tries to permit himself to dream.”

“I am making an attempt to visualise how it could really feel to really do a Leicester (who surprisingly received the English title in 2016), however each a part of me is screaming that there is nonetheless perhaps like a one p.c probability.”

For lifelong Union fan Jan Grobi, 54, who has been to “just about each sport” since 1983, an unlikely title win might have penalties.

“Earlier than the season I mentioned the phrases ‘if we turn into German champions, I would stroll bare by way of the Alte Foersterei.’

“A couple of individuals are already making an attempt to carry me to that, saying ‘Hey Grobi, you promised!’

“Since then, we agreed it might be extra just like the Borat swimsuit, in order that the ugly bits are coated,” he added in reference to ‘mankini’ made well-known by comic Sacha Baron Cohen’s hit film a few crude fictional TV reporter from Kazakhstan.

A loopy experience

Union have by no means crushed Bayern, with 4 losses and three attracts, all by a 1-1 scoreline, together with earlier this season in Berlin.

Whether or not the membership win, lose or draw on Sunday and whether or not they can maintain a push for the Champions League or an unlikely title, Jauer hints that success means one thing very completely different for Union followers.

“There’s nonetheless numerous gratitude for the loopy experience – we’re safe within the Bundesliga for the fourth yr.

“I feel that if we’d in some way miss out on Europe on the final day, no-one could be actually disillusioned.”

“The rest that comes is a bonus.”

“But when we must always really play within the Champions League,” Grobi ponders, “I’ve heard the anthem in all probability 1,000 occasions, however to listen to it within the Alte Foersterei, nicely that will be nice.”

(This story has not been edited by NDTV workers and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

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