0-2 defeat despite a hard performance – Union misses a point against Dortmund
imago images/Matthias Koch
Audio: rbb24 Inforadio | 03/02/2023 | Guido Ringel | Image: imago images/Matthias Koch
Against Borussia Dortmund, 1. FC Union got off to a better start and came close to taking the lead in the first 30 minutes. In the end, coach Nenad Bjelica had to accept his first home defeat with the Köpenickers.
Good Union start after a smoke break
Against BVB, Union coach Nenad Bjelica rotated his starting lineup to three positions. Diogo Leite and Kevin Volland returned from serving suspensions, replacing Robin Knoche and Brendon Aaronson. Jerome Roussillon also moved into the first eleven on the left side for the suspended Robin Gosens.
In the first minutes of the game, however, the 22,012 spectators in the usual sold-out An der Alten Försterei stadium were not treated to any football. Referee Christian Dingert had to interrupt the game shortly after kick-off because yellow smoke from the visitors’ block limited visibility on the pitch.
When the ball started rolling again after a short time, 1. FC Union got off to an energetic start and had the first big chance of the game. Volland backheeled the ball into the path of Lucas Tousart, who narrowly missed the goal from a tight angle (6th).
Even after that, the Köpenickers continued to be dangerous and were significantly closer to the opening goal than the guests for long stretches. Dortmund tried to take control of the game with possession, but no real chances developed for Borussia. Instead, the errors in the build-up to the game increased – also because Union kept putting them under pressure with strong starts.
Rönnow saves twice and then has no chance
BVB’s first real chance came after a dead ball. Karim Adeyemi extended a corner to the left post, where Nico Schlotterbeck was completely free to finish. However, the national player was denied from close range by goalkeeper Frederik Rönnow, who parried on the line (35′).
However, this first approach to the goal seemed to be a wake-up call for Edin Terzic’s team. A little later it was again thanks to a brilliant save by the Berlin goalkeeper, who plucked a shot deflected by Julian Brandt against the direction of his movement off the line (38th). Three minutes later, Rönnow didn’t have a chance either when Adeyemi finished freely on the right edge of the penalty area and curled the ball unstoppably into the left corner.
Dortmund control through ball possession
Even after the break, Union continued to try to put the guests under early pressure. With the lead behind them, they were a little more confident in the build-up and a lively game developed with chances for both sides. First it was Rönnow again who was there when Niclas Füllkrug shot from a tight angle (52nd), before Dortmund keeper Alexander Meyer caused a stir with a brilliant save and a shot from Volland near the penalty spot just went over the crossbar directed (56th).
As the second half progressed, the game calmed down again and sputtered along a bit. BVB now let the ball run well through their own ranks, hardly made any mistakes and had the action under control. Due to the lack of transition moments, the Berliners now had problems combining in front of the guests’ goal. Even in the final offensive there was no real danger of scoring.
Instead, Dortmund’s Ian Maatsen put the lid on it in the 90th minute after he won the ball on the halfway line from Union defender Josip Juranovic and ran towards the goal alone. The Dutchman kept his nerve against Rönnow and scored to give the Black and Yellows a 2-0 win. 1. FC Union’s unbeaten home series ended after six games.
Voices about the game
Kevin Volland (1. FC Union Berlin): “If we make it 1-1 in a pressure phase or score a goal in the first 30 minutes, then things can turn out differently. But that’s just how it is in football. Nevertheless, I think that “We often had the first look forward after winning the ball and played a good game.”
Frederik Rönnow (1. FC Union Berlin): “I conceded two goals. That’s not perfect and we don’t have any points. Of course, I always want to help my team. Today, especially offensively, the last pass or the last good contact was missing. “
Karim Adeyemi (Borussia Dortmund): “It was a difficult start. They had the first chance and then you maybe let yourself be pushed back. After 30 minutes we had the upper hand again and tried more. We succeeded. It was a difficult game.”
The voices in the audio
The live ticker to read
Broadcast: rbb24 Inforadio, March 2nd, 2024, 3:30 p.m