Baumgart focuses on positives after debut defeat

Steffen Baumgart lost his first game in charge of Union Berlin, but still saw plenty of positives in his side’s performance.

Steffen Baumgart didn’t get the start he was hoping for as Union Berlin coach, as the German capital side went down 2-0 to Heidenheim in his first game in charge.

But the 53-year-old tried to focus on the positives after the game, which wasn’t made any easier when Tom Rothe saw red in the 37th minute after Felix Krätzig had opened the scoring for the home side.

“If you only look at the result, it’s a huge disappointment,” Baumgart told Sky Germany, but added:

“It worked well at the beginning, we had good chances, Kevin (Müller) kept them in the game and he did the same twice in the second half. Obviously, the 2-0 goal decided the game. My boys did a lot of what I wanted them to do.

“In the Bundesliga, mistakes are punished, especially when you don’t take your chances.”

Despite the defeat, the former FC Köln coach enjoyed being back on the touchline in the Bundesliga.

“It is always nice to be involved in the Bundesliga. I enjoy being in the dugout and working with the lads. I try to enjoy everything on the sidelines and I hope I can stay here for a long time,” he said.