Unless you’re a Hertha fan, or the Grinch, it’s hard to root against Union.
Indeed, their attachment to the team during these tough times borders on the fanatically supportive. They cheered — 74,000 strong — and made a ruckus throughout the Napoli game and even at the final whistle, when the Union players wandered over to applaud their supporters, as they always do. Given their run and the fans’ patience, it’s not surprising that Gosens felt embarrassed and “nearly ashamed” to receive so much love and support while offering so little in terms of results on the pitch.
Then again, maybe it makes a little bit of sense. Union fans love Union, first and foremost, and that comes way ahead of, say, seeing a winning Union side on the pitch. Especially if it comes at the expense of what they see as their club values. Especially when the club’s very existence has been under threat so many times in the past.
So yeah, you can think of the first club of their campaign as the “underdog Disney tale that wasn’t.” Or you can simply respect and be grateful for the fact that they exist.
As for dear Gosens: as long as you put in the effort, there is nothing for which to be ashamed.
