“We’ve decided to walk this rocky and ardous path together.”

As somber as the post-match mood was at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei following the team’s 12th consecutive defeat on-the-trot, there seemed to be no indication from FCU head-coach Urs Fischer that a parting of company was being considered. 

Despite rumors that 1. FC Union Berlin trainer Urs Fischer may be in danger of getting sacked, both FCU managing director Oliver Ruhnert and club President Oliver Rihnert have reiterated their support for their coach since reports began emerging in Germany’s main sporting tabloid earlier this week. It remains to be seen as to whether Fischer himself – like FSV Mainz 05 trainer Bo Svensson two days ago – might be considering resigning.

Fischer gave no indication that he was considering stepping back when speaking to the Sky microphones after the latest loss. After conceding that his team “was continuing to make mistakes” the Swiss trainer unequivocally stood his ground on the question as to whether he would retreat.

“Of course, it’s incredibly difficult at the moment,” Fischer said in his post-match interview, “but we’ve decided to walk this rocky and arduous path together.”

Fischer commented on the fact that the team did exhibit some noticeable fight and drive after falling behind early. In the words of the gaffer, it was inherently frustrating that his charges “couldn’t reward themselves”. Wingbacks Robin Gosens and Christopher Trimmel expressed similar sentiments.

“When you’re so hyped up before the game and then find yourself 0-2 down after 15 minutes, it can’t all be good,” Gosens said, “But Union’s strength has always been that we’re honest with each other and analyze things deeply. We have to take the good things that happened today despite the result and continue to believe in ourselves.”

“At the moment, we’re simply not good enough,” Trimmel added, “I can feel every day that the coach and the team are giving it their all, but it’s just not good enough at the moment.”

“The team tried everything,” Fischer himself noted at the conclusion of his interview, “We had several opportunities to get back into the game, but just couldn’t make it happen.”

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