Union Berlin's Florian Huebner (R) vies with Stuttgart's Anastasios Donis during the second leg match of Bundesliga relegation play-off between 1.FC Union Berlin and VfB Stuttgart in Berlin, capital of Germany, on May 27, 2019. The match ended 0-0 and Union Berlin will promote to the first division of Bundesliga next season with 2-2 on aggregate with more away goals. (Xinhua/Kevin Voigt)
BERLIN, May 27 (Xinhua) -- Union Berlin will be the 56th side to play in the Bundesliga after playing out a goalless draw 2-2 on aggregate with Stuttgart to progress on two away goals following the second leg in the relegation play-offs here on Monday.
Stuttgart will relegate for the third time whereas Union promote for the first time in their history to the first division. A goalless draw was enough for the "Eisernen" as relegated Stuttgart were unable to turn around a two-all draw from the first leg.
The visitors grabbed the reins from the kick off knowing that only a victory or a high draw would maintain their top-flight status.
Stuttgart almost got in front with just three minutes played but Ozan Kabak was unable to overcome Union Berlin's goalkeeper Rafal Gikiewicz from very close range.
The "Swabians" remained on the front foot and they thought their efforts had paid off in the 17th minute but Dennis Aogo's direct free-kick goal was ruled offside following a video review.
Union kept all their men behind the ball but still relentless Stuttgart came to their chances through Anastasios Donis and Steven Zuber as the match progressed.
After the restart, Stuttgart started highly motivated meanwhile Union gained a foothold into the match as Suleiman Abdullahi rattled the woodwork twice in the 66th minute.
The hosts focussed on fast breaks as Stuttgart threw everything up front. However, Union lacked in accuracy and couldn't put the result beyond doubt ahead of time.
Stuttgart pressed frenetically but Union stood firm to book their first ever berth in Germany's top flight.
"The club did everything for this success. I am so glad for everyone who is involved. It is collective success. We had our problems in the first half but we were better in the second half. Now we are overhappy," Union Berlin's head coach Urs Fischer said.
"We played a terrible season and now we hit rock bottom. Union deserved their promotion as they played a great season. We played well in the first half but Union stood their ground in the second half," Nico Willig said.
