Grischa Prömel hit the scoresheet for the second week running as 1. FC Union Berlin defeated Hoffenheim 2-1 at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei.
The midfielder followed up from his strong showing in Leverkusen with the winning goal on 73 minutes to continue Union's push into European places in the Bundesliga.
Timo Baumgartl had unfortunately given Hoffenheim an advantage after 16 minutes but Urs Fischer's team battled back with an equaliser from Andreas Voglsammer.
Half-time subs Andreas Voglsammer and Levin Öztunali held their place in the side following a strong second-half showing in Leverkusen. Bastian Oczipka stayed in at left-back in place with Niko Gießelmann while Dominique Heintz made his debut for Union Berlin after this week's departure of vice-captain Marvin Friedrich. Under Sebastian Hoeneß, Hoffenheim have put together the strongest run of form in the Bundesliga over the last seven games. The visitors started strongly and Andreas Luthe had to make a highlight-reel save to stop Posch from heading in after nine minutes. The Union goalkeeper was unable to stop Hoffenheim scoring in the 16th minute when Ilhas Bebou charged infield from the right, his crossing striking team-mate Timo Baumgartl in the box and finding the corner of the net. Union needed time to get going, but the goal nudged the Köpenick club into gear. Oliver Baumann saved from Grischa Prömel a minute after the opener but Union's period of pressure to follow would be rewarded. Bastian Oczipka sent in the cross after 22 minutes and Voglsammer's header hit the crossbar, but fortunately hit Baumann on the shoulder and went in. Union put in a good fight despite the best of the opportunities falling to Hoffenheim. Christopher Trimmel, who celebrated appearance 251 in Union colours this afternoon, had to make a last-ditch challenge on Kevin Akpoguma to prevent a second goal. Kevin Vogt broke the Union defensive lines with a key pass on 40 minutes, Andrej Kramaric broke clear before Heintz intervened with a block on Bebou. Christoph Baumgartner's shot was turned away from the rebound. Akpoguma had another bite at the cherry with three minutes of the half to go, but a dogged Union defence held their ground at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei.
The second half returned with Union in the rhythm but Hoffenheim's threat at the front didn't go unnoticed. Kramaric passed up a golden chance for a second away goal on 51 minutes but Baumgartl stepped in at the last second. Such was the work off the ball from the team in red that for the second week running, Union's bench would decide the game. Sheraldo Becker was introduced for Levin Öztunali and the Dutchman was the game-changing factor for Union. Becker terrorised the Hoffenheim defence who had sat high for the previous 70 minutes. A superb counter-attack saw Oczipka cross for Becker but the header narrowly went wide. Becker's impact pushed Union to the second less than two minutes later. Voglsammer flicked on the header to the ever-willing Prömel who charged in behind. The midfielder found Becker who picked his moment to cross to Kruse, his shot striking the crossbar. The rebound fell to Prömel in the right spot for his third goal in two matches. Fischer switched around 79 minutes with Genki Haraguchi and Paul Jaeckel shoring up a tired defensive unit. Haraguchi countered and was a touch away from giving Kruse an empty net to put Union three up. Kevin Behrens and Julian Ryerson played their part as Union had to dig deep in the closing minutes of the game. Eventually, after a taxing 94 minutes, referee Martin Petersen blew the final whistle to give the 3,000 supporters in attendance something more to cheer about this afternoon.
Union take on Hoffenheim
Match preview
1. FC Union Berlin take on Hoffenheim on Saturday in the first Bundesliga game of 2022 at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei.
Review — The last match:
Union's dominant second half performance in Leverkusen left Urs Fischer's side frustrated at not taking all three points from the BayArena. Patrick Schick made it 18 for the season with a first-half opener as Leverkusen bossed proceedings. Gerardo Seoane's side, fourth in the table pre-match, passed up opportunities before Grischa Prömel bundled in the equaliser near half-time. The midfielder followed up on two excellent stops from Finnish goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky to give Union a lifeline. Fischer made two changes at the break with Levin Öztunali and Andreas Voglsammer entering the game — and Union turned on the style. Prömel put Union ahead but the Köpenick club failed to turn their opportunities in the second 45 into a more convincing lead. Max Kruse hit the crossbar and Voglsammer forced more work out of Hradecky. Jonathan Tah equalised with six minutes to go, but Union had more chances to put the game beyond doubt. In stoppage time, Bastian Oczipka struck off the post as Union had to be content with one point instead of three.
Hoffenheim — Opposition Report:
Hoffenheim's growth over the league season sees them up in third place, six points off Borussia Dortmund in second. While Bayern Munich have extended their advantage at the top of the Bundesliga, Hoffenheim are in the mix to qualify for next season's Champions League. Sebastian Hoeneß's team lost their last Bundesliga game at the start of November in Bochum — the previous defeat at Bayern Munich. His side have showed a consistency and stability in form with seven games returning 17 points. A win at home to RB Leipzig was followed by a 6-3 win at Greuther Fürth. A pleasing feature of Hoffenheim's side for coach Hoeneß is the goals coming from all over the park. Ihlas Bebou has seven goals to his name in the Bundesliga, but others have chipped in too including midfielder Christian Baumgartner, left-back David Raum, winger Jacob Bruun Larsen and strikers Munas Dabbur and Andrej Kramaric.
Hoffenheim — The coach's view:
Urs Fischer: "They've been the strongest team over the last 7 games with 17 points. It is fully deserved from my perspective when you look at the games. Good balance betwen defence. Stable defence. MAke good runs. Force errors. With the ball, good mixtures to open. Goodplay behnd the lines. They can attack from wide with crosses. It's a team doing really well.
Personnel:
Laurenz Dehl is working back from injury at the minute. Sheraldo Becker has returned to training following his time in isolation at home. Ricky van Drongelen returned a positive test this week and is out. Niko Gießelmann has trained individually and it will be tight for him. Marvin Friedrich and Tymoteusz Puchacz have left the squad this week. Taiwo Awoniyi is participating at the African Cup of Nations in Cameroon.
Service:
The match will take place under 2G-Plus regulations and matchday information can be found here.
A maximum of 3,000 spectators are permitted to attend.
