Union Berlin battle to beat league leaders Gladbach
Match report
1. FC Union Berlin made it three wins on the spin with a 2-0 victory over league-leaders Borussia Mönchengladbach at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei.
Anthony Ujah doubled his tally for the campaign with a header after 15 minutes as Urs Fischer's team delivered another memorable home performance in the Bundesliga.
The points were wrapped up in style with Sebastian Andersson marking his return to Köpenick with a stoppage time strike following Euro 2020 qualification with Sweden last week.
1. FC Union Berlin: Gikiewicz; Subotic, Friedrich, Schlotterbeck; Trimmel, Kroos (Schmiedebach 70), Gentner, Lenz; Ingvartsen, Ujah (Bülter 78), Andersson
Robert Andrich’s suspension meant Urs Fischer turned to his squad for a deputy, and the Swiss coach picked Felix Kroos to start in central midfield. In attack, Ujah was preferred to Sebastian Polter from the start. 1. FC Union Berlin held firm without the ball despite Marco Rose’s league leaders threatening to break through in the early stages. Patrick Herrmann hit the post after 11 minutes and Union would punish the visitors for their lack of conviction, four minutes later. Christopher Lenz unleashed Marcus Ingvartsen down the left flank as Union Berlin turned defence into attack in rapid speed. The Danish U21 international picked out Ujah in space at the back post and the Nigerian headed in his second goal of the Bundesliga season. Ingvartsen himself came close with a rasping volley, which struck the bottom of Yann Sommer’s post on 20 minutes. The Swiss goalkeeper was kept busy from a shot by Sebastian Andersson after half an hour as Fischer’s team continued to ask questions of Gladbach. At the other end, Union number one Rafal Gikiewicz was on point to win a decisive one-vs-one battle in the 38th minute — Alessandre Plea ran through on goal, but the Polish keeper made a brilliant block to protect the lead.
The interval failed to stop Union from posing a constant threat to the Gladbach defence. Lenz charged into the box after 50 minutes, knocked the ball back to Andersson but Sommer's hands were strong to block the shot. Felix Kroos ran his race until the 70th minute in the middle of the park, eventually being replaced by Manuel Schmiedebach. Herrmann was presented with another shooting chance but fired wide. At the heart of Union's brilliant results this season has been the powerful defensive performances at the back. Today was no different as the team worked to snuff out any progressive attacks from the away side. Ujah and Ingvartsen were given standing ovations from the home crowd as they were both allowed to put their feet up for the final few minutes. The icing on the cake came in stoppage time when substitute Julian Ryerson sprinted clear of the Gladbach defence, teeing up Andersson who scored sixth goal of the campaign to secure all three points.
The run-in for 2019 comes thick-and-fast over the next few weeks and Union Berlin are involved in next week's Friday night encounter against Schalke 04 at the Veltins Arena.
Union's form put to test against Gladbach
Match preview
1. FC Union Berlin mark the return of competitive league football with Saturday’s home game in Köpenick against Bundesliga league leaders Borussia Mönchengladbach.
Review: Union hold on to lead in Mainz, Gladbach set the pace
A fortnight ago, Urs Fischer’s team left Mainz with all three points. Union steamed into a three-goal lead with a double from Sebastian Andersson and an own goal by Daniel Brosinski. Sandro Schwarz, later replaced by Achim Beierlorzer, encouraged his team back into proceedings to score two late goals, which were ultimately a consolation. Fischer’s team are riding high in the form table for the last five matches with Union taking 9 out of a possible 15 points — a record only bettered by Hoffenheim and Gladbach.
The Foals are four clear at the summit ahead of RB Leipzig, Bayern Munich and Freiburg. Marco Rose, who moved into the job after leaving RB Salzburg, has made an immediate impression. Gladbach have suffered defeat just twice in the Bundesliga — away to Borussia Dortmund in October and at home to Leipzig. In their last three games against Frankfurt, Leverkusen and Bremen, Gladbach have scored nine goals. In the Europa League, Rose’s team are on track to qualify for the Last 32 after beating Roma 2-1 — their first win of the group phase after a surprise defeat to Austrian cracks Wolfsberger AC.
“Borussia Mönchengladbach are on fire,” said Fischer at the pre-match press conference. “The team is on a run and is doing a lot right. Good organisation, they develop a good dynamic, play quick switches, strong in tackles and press a lot. It’s not undeserved for them to be top of the league.”
Record: Historic German Cup semi final
1. FC Union Berlin's only competitive meeting with Gladbach sits as one of the most memorable 90 minutes in the club's history. Before the 2001 German Cup final in Berlin, Union progressed in dramatic fashion, eliminating second-tier Gladbach on penalties. The semi-final in Köpenick ended 2-2 with Union, then in the third division, running out 4-2 winners. Current Gladbach sporting director Max Eberl missed a penalty in his last visit to the Stadion An der Alten Försterei.
Personnel: Returnees from Euro qualifiers, still injuries
There is not enormous change to the injury list with Grischa Prömel, Andy Gogia and Laurenz Dehl out. Suleiman Abdullahi took a knock on his head in a friendly win over Holstein Kiel and the Nigerian is making slow steps back to training. Attacker Joshua Mees is doubtful after only returning to training recently from a muscle problem. After picking up his fifth yellow card, Robert Andrich is suspended.
Meanwhile, Andersson and Christopher Trimmel have been off on national team duty this past week, and both returned after successfully guiding their teams to EURO 2020. Fischer added: “Our two internationals came back safe and found and took part in training. Trimmel is still recovering, but both are fit and healthy. Abdullahi is in better shape, but hasn’t trained yet. Joshua Mees is back on the pitch but Saturday’s game probably comes too early for him.”
Service: Sell out
As is often the case in Köpenick, the Stadion An der Alten Försterei is sold out for Saturday’s match. The secondary ticket market is open here.
The public transport situation also hasn’t changed, with supporters encouraged to come via train or bicycle rather than car as there are limited parking spots around the ground.
