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Both head coaches involved in the Easter Sunday 1-1 Bundesliga draw between Union Berlin and St. Pauli declared themselves pleased with the point picked up. Steffen Baumgart’s capital city club took an enormous stride towards safety by sharing the spoils with their opponent. Now in 10th place on 32 points, one more win over the next six matchdays will prove sufficient to ensure another season of Bundesliga football in Köpenick.
Baumgart’s team have incurred plenty of criticism after picking up just two wins over the course of the 13 matchdays played in the current 2026 calendar year. Some German press sources had considered them relegation race candidates. Get German Football News and others, however, noted the table arithmetic and never considered Union to be any danger. It is for this reason that Union Berlin did not receive one of GGFN’s “Relegation Check” Sections.
Baumgart got slightly defensive during his post-match interview with DAZN, correctly pointing out that his club’s situation was much better than the opponent’s. St. Pauli – who did receive a GGFN “Relegation Check” Section – face much greater pressures. Alexander Blessin’s Kiezkicker are seven points below Baumgart’s FCU and occupy the promotion-relegation playoff place. Blessin’s stress shone through during a recent home loss against Freiburg.
Union, meanwhile, can reach the generally accepted “Bundesliga safety threshold” of 35 points with a win away at Heidenheim next week. Die Eisernen also have Wolfsburg, Köln, Mainz, and Augsburg on the docket before the 2025/26 campaign concludes. Three draws remain a distinct possibility. Baumgart referenced this and defended his team’s often un-exciting style of play in his interview.
Steffen Baumgart on Union Berlin’s “track back” style
“I’m relatively certain that everyone who plays against us knows they don’t like playing against us because we have simple and clear methods,” Baumgart told DAZN. “Football isn’t just about slick back-heels and crisp one-two-three passing. Football is a combat sport where it’s all about intensity, willingness to run, and one-on-one battles. That was there today for both teams. It’s hard for me not to be satisfied.”
Baumgart declares Union safe from relegation
“It [the 1-1 draw] qualifies as a ‘partial success’, but it does maintain the gap with St. Pauli,” Baumgart said. “The result is nothing huge, but also nothing small. I’m proud of my players for remaining brave and scoring the equalizer. Every game brings us closer to our goal. With every passing matchday, there are fewer points left, especially for the clubs behind us.
“I find that interesting,” Baumgart went on to say when commenting on the relegation race. “It’s as if no one looks at the standings and no one counts the points. I look at the standings, the matchdays, and who’s playing whom. St. Pauli faces Bayern next week, and we want to secure a win in Heidenheim. We’re in a very good position.”
