Bülter hits two as Union Berlin beat Borussia Dortmund
Match report
1. FC Union Berlin won for the first time in the Bundesliga, delivering a sensational 90 minutes to beat title challengers Borussia Dortmund 3-1.
Bülter's first goal on 22 minutes was the first in the Bundesliga at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei. However, last season's Bundesliga runner-up Borussia Dortmund responded three minutes later through Paco Alcacer.
Union continued to give everything after the interval against a strong Dortmund side and Bülter's strike on 50 minutes put Urs Fischer's men into the lead. Sebastian Andersson turned home a third to put Union into a commanding position and secure all three points on a memorable night in Köpenick.
Fischer opted for two strikers from the start with Ujah and Andersson as a partnership. With Keven Schlotterbeck suspended, Marvin Friedrich returned to central defence, while Manuel Schmiedebach stepped in to Grischa Prömel’s position for his first appearance of the Bundesliga campaign. Inspired by an electric atmosphere inside the Stadion An der Alten Försterei, Union grabbed their heart in both hands and put up a fight against the visitors. From a corner kick, Bülter found a yard and scored his first goal in the top-flight having come through Germany's lower leagues. Dortmund responded well, to their credit, with an excellent passage of play leading to Alcacer's equaliser. Roman Bürki's speed and quick reactions prevented Sheraldo Becker from sprinting clear of the Dortmund backline in the final minutes of the half. There was still one opportunity in the four additional minutes for Favre's side — but Unioner des Jahres Rafal Gikiewicz kept out a strike from Marco Reus.
Lucien Favre made one substitution at the break with Mo Dahoud replacing Thomas Delaney, who suffered a head knock in the first half. Four minutes in, Union turned the screw with an excellent second goal. Sebastian Andersson went one-vs-one with Akanji, squeezing the ball through the defender’s legs but his shot coming back off Bürki. The rebound came out to Bülter who controlled his finish into the bottom corner of the net. Dortmund saw more and more of the possession in humid conditions but Union defended well from the front. The counter-attack proved an important weapon but there was also a danger from set-piece situations which Dortmund narrowly managed to defend. After a final water break, Union found another gear in the last 15 minutes with Sheraldo Becker turning creator for Andersson to slot in the third from close range. Joshua Mees and Felix Kroos were given the task of racking up the yards and seeing out an important three points. Dortmund asked a handful of questions at the end but Union stood up to the challenge and held on to a stunning three points.
Full match report to follow shortly.
Union Berlin take on title chasers Borussia Dortmund
Match preview
1. FC Union Berlin will be aiming to add to the first-ever point in the Bundesliga last week in Augsburg when title challengers Borussia Dortmund come to the Stadion An der Alten Försterei for Saturday’s late 18:30 kick-off.
Urs Fischer’s men claimed a 1-1 draw in Augsburg, getting the season off and running with a difficult set of fixtures to come for the Köpenick club.
Review: Andersson strikes in Augsburg, Dortmund bounce back in Köln
More than 2,500 Union fans watched their team leave the WWK Arena in Augsburg with a well-earned point last Saturday. Substitutes Sebastian Polter and Sebastian Andersson combined to great effect with nine minutes left — Polter holding his nerve and supplying the Swedish international striker who slotted into the corner of the net.
Meanwhile, Lucien Favre's team kicked off the matchday on Friday with a 3-1 win at 1. FC Köln. The promoted club went ahead after 29 minutes, Dominik Drexler scoring the goal. However, Dortmund rallied after the break and went on to dominate the second period. Jadon Sancho levelled with 20 minutes to go before strikes from Achraf Hakimi and Paco Alcacer steered Dortmund to all three points.
Record: Two rollercoaster matches in Dortmund
Union Berlin and Borussia Dortmund meet on Saturday for the third time in competitive action. The previous two meetings came both in the German Cup second round — in season 2016/17 and 2018/19. Steven Skrzybski’s equaliser dragged the Köpenick club level with nine minutes left in October 2016, but Dortmund won the tie 3-0 on penalties at the Westfalenstadion. Similarly, last season’s encounter went to the wire with Polter’s double taking the game to extra time after a 2-2 draw. Marco Reus’ penalty well beyond 120 minutes of action sent the Yellow and Blacks through to the next round.
Fischer: Similarities between Leipzig & Dortmund
“When it comes to speed and transitions, both teams are similar,” said coach Fischer at the pre-match press conference. “In movement up front, they are very similar teams. We want to improve on the aspects from Leipzig against Borussia Dortmund.”
On the subject of learning from mistakes, the Swiss boss added: “It’s the same as we’ve said before, we want to develop and learn from our mistakes. You take things from the last game, then observe the individual development of the players.”
With Keven Schlotterbeck suspended for two matches, Fischer has a change to make at centre back. Grischa Prömel and Florian Hübner will miss out through injury, while Maurice Opfermann Arcones is still down with illness. Midfielder Christian Gentner has returned to training, but a decision will be made after Friday’s last session.
Service: No tickets left, Transport Advice
The match against Borussia Dortmund has been completely sold out for the past week.
With the streets around the stadium expected to be busy, supporters are advised to come by bike or by S-Bahn if possible.
