“Seifert and Co.: Follow Your Words With Actions”–Banner on the Gegengerade

Another game against Schalke, another tie. It would be nice to win this one, especially after so many chances, and especially after so many good chances. On one hand, given the quality of these chances, it’s starting to feel justified to expect more. On the other, it seems like we’re at least moving in right direction after games like Augsburg and Mainz. The offense is showing signs of life, and while it might be fair to complain about the poor execution, the first step is to create plenty of chances.

Of course, we’ve never won against Schalke in a competitive game, stretching back to what is arguably one of our most glorious moments as a club–the 2001 Pokalfinale. You could be forgiven for thinking we’ve got a mental block, but these are the kinds of series that exist only for the employment of statisticians.

Next week is going to be a big test–Freiburg is just ahead of us on points, and I don’t expect our offense will continue to be this flat. Why? Because not only did they show more spark in this game, we’re also getting Max Kruse back. I’m a bit more cautious that he’ll automatically make the difference, but every talented attacker really matters right now.

These last few games have been a bit of a bummer, but it’s worth keeping in mind how our expectations might have been skewed by the first half, and that it still shows our potential. I don’t think other teams have necessarily gotten “wise” to our strategy–we just haven’t executed as well. That means it’s within our power to reel off another big series of wins.

Meanwhile…

Another home game, another banner. I really credit the active fan scene for continuing to press the issue of needed reforms (help for lower leagues, financial fair play, basic stuff like that) week after week while it pretty much goes ignored by the rest of the sports landscape. Every game, it’s there clear as day on the Gegengerade, and not once have I heard it mentioned by the announcers.

It would be tempting to talk here about outrage exhaustion, but the fact is that these are our basic values, and no matter how tiring and seemingly ineffectual the fight may be, it’s our absolute duty to always continue it, because it helps to remind us who we are, even if it doesn’t change anything. Props to the Union social media folks for putting it front and center in some of their posts, so everyone can read the message. We’ve got to keep advocating for the soccer we want to see–democratic, fair, human.

In sunnier news, we’re now the largest club by membership in Berlin, having just passed Hertha in the past week. Of course, the number doesn’t matter–it’s the engagement that counts. This will probably put some more impetus behind the stadium, but it remains to be seen. The only real conclusion we can draw? Looks like we’ve got a new crop of Eisernen to bring up in the glorious traditions of our club! Time to start printing some song sheets and sharing the Boone’schen Regeln….