The B-Junior team of 1. FC Union Berlin drew on Matchday eight of the DFB youth league with a score of 1-1 (0-1) against Borussia Dortmund.

1. FC Union Berlin: Gagzow – Kischke, Wilp, Adesiyan, Wojnowski (68. minute Bakam Ghopo) – Sliskovic, Kannegießer, Drahn (75. Ludwig) – Megaptche (88. Etobe Epie), Shabany, Pepinski (75. Matjani)

Borussia Dortmund: Wehrbein – Driedger, Ritter, Damberg, Kolano (60. König) – Fahrenhorst, Faust (68. Perri), de Pina Duarte dos Santos (60. Castel Branco) – Adje (60. Kusi), Najdi (79. Mize), Mirza (79. Heavens)

Goals: 0-1 Adje (35. minute), 1-1 Megaptche (52.)

Spectators: 160

A balanced match with a Dortmund sting

The Eisernen started well in the match in excellent football weather and recorded promising offensive actions in the first minutes, but the final pass was missing each time. After about ten minutes, Dortmund also made their presence felt in the match and came close to a good shooting opportunity after a long ball to the front. However, the attacker of the Black-Yellows missed from a tight angle. Union repeatedly tried to press early and force high ball recoveries. BVB attempted to solve these situations with their play and exploit the speed of their own strikers. This led to several scoring opportunities, but still without real pressure.

Until the middle of the first half, neither team could establish an advantage. Union had slightly more possession, while BVB was dangerous on attacks from the flanks. Then, the Red-Whites ramped up and came into their best phase of the first half with several dangerous actions. However, the resulting shots on goal were either blocked or missed narrowly.

BVB did better shortly thereafter. The Borussians approached goal first through a double chance, where a header went just beside the post, and shortly afterward, the Union goalkeeper saved a shot from 20 meters out of the corner. The third chance, however, found the back of the net: A Union ball loss in midfield was the starting point and suddenly the attacker from Westphalia was free on goal. With composure, he laid the ball across in the penalty area, so his striking partner only had to push it into the lead.

The balanced match went into halftime with this result. Both teams played on an equal footing for 45 minutes, but the Dortmund team managed to generate a bit more scoring danger with their offensive actions and thus rewarded themselves.

An open exchange of blows without a winner

Shortly after the restart, BVB had the first chance again. Once more, they attacked with great speed down the left flank, where the ball was laid back to the edge of the penalty area. The following shot was then cleared off the line by a Köpenick defender. This time, however, the Unioners did better: During a direct counterattack down the right side, the ball came as a rebound to Megaptche, who seized the opportunity and sent the ball into the net for the equalizer.

Union continued to apply pressure and had another big chance just a few minutes later after a beautiful solo by Kannegießer. However, he ultimately failed against the rushing opponent's keeper. Dortmund then tried a triple substitution to inject new energy into their efforts. This only succeeded to some extent, as the Red-Whites continued to resist and also attempted to get in front of the opponent's goal.

Both teams had several chances in the last twenty minutes, but either lacked impact or accuracy. The game went back and forth and provided high entertainment value for the more than one hundred spectators. The intensity was high, and Union still had the chance to reward themselves for their good performance with a victory. Although they did not succeed in the end, it was still a good match with a completely deserved draw.

Comments on the match

“We delivered a great match today and earned a well-deserved point,” emphasized coach André Vilk after the game. “We also created the chances to win today and implemented many things we talked about beforehand - good intensity, high running willingness, and created good chances with the ball. A really strong performance from the guys.”

Outlook

On 13.04., the U17 will also face VfL Bochum at home. The kick-off for Matchday nine of the DFB youth league will be at 12:00 at the Stadion An der Wuhlheide.