Remis in Köpenick
© Imago
The 1st FC Union Berlin gave its fans for the Bundesliga anniversary with a goal spectacle and the premature relegation. The Köpenickers and the runner-up VfB Stuttgart separated 4: 4 (4: 4) in the 100th first division home game in the Stadium on the Alte Försterei and ensured a Bundesliga record in the first half. Never before scored so many goals in a first half of a game in the upper house.
Due to the point win, the FCU remains first class in the seventh season in a row. The Stuttgart team once again showed comeback qualities against the Berliners, but conceded the next damper in the fight for the European Cup places.
The 22,012 spectators saw a breathtaking first half. The Unioner leadership by Andrej Ilic (5th minute) and Diogo Leit (19th) equalized Deniz Undav (23rd) and Enzo Millot (29th). After a dream goal of Union Leopold Querfeld (39.), the Swabians then preferred Jeff Chabot (43.) and Chris Lührich (45.+1) before Ilic (45.+6) provided again. “Sky” expert Lothar Matthäus was enthusiastic about the break: “This is a delicacy, let’s say in Bavaria.”
After the first half of the season, the Berliners only had a narrow lead over the relegation place, but with a series of six games without defeat, they secured the whereabouts in the first division at an early stage. Last year it had only succeeded at the last second. Kiel, Bochum and Heidenheim can no longer overtake Union in the table.
VfB with coach Sebastian Hoeneß, on the other hand, was only able to win one of the last nine Bundesliga games. The Stuttgart also have a good chance of qualifying through the DFB Cup for international business. With a win in the final on May 24th against third division Bielefeld, they would move into the Europa League.
Spectacle between Union Berlin and VfB Stuttgart takes its course
For Union it was also the 200th game in the Bundesliga. The opponent had a symbolic character: in 2019 the first promotion was made in the relegation against VfB. On Good Friday, the club announced another contract extension with captain Christopher Trimmel, who will go into his twelfth season with the Berliners.
At VfB, Hoeneß had to replace the powerful Nick Woltemade after his controversial dismissal against Bremen. National player Undav got another chance in the attack to prove himself. The tour of Ilic caused huge cheers early on. It should be the beginning. A spectacle developed.
The 2-0 also had a standard of Captain Trimmel as a starting point. Leopold headed a free kick from the Austrian across the field to the free -standing head, which also made his first goal of the season with his head. But as in the first leg, VfB equalized the 0-2 deficit. Undav set a precise shot for the connecting goal. A beautiful Schlenzer from around 25 meters brought the equalization.
But as far as there was afraid of the distance, crossfield went one step further. His fluttering right -hand shot landed 3-2 online from 34 meters. Now the guests were back: Chabot hit his head for a standard. After a ball win from Undav, Führich let the Union’s defense run out and shot. Another free kick, again Trimmel, again Ilic: 4: 4 was on the scoreboard.
After the break, the game got a little quieter. Union Benedict Hollerbach put his shot a little over the goal after a quick counterattack (56th). The Swabians were the more active team, but did not get very dangerous in front of the goal.
Next weekend, the Ironing Duel with Bochum after the lighter slat in Berlin will be the first duel with Bochum in Berlin. In view of the table situation, the game may have lost significantly in the FCU.