By Sebastian Karkos, Matthias Koch and Dirk Krümpelmann
Three very big points in the fight for the Champions League! With the 1-0 (0-0) in Gladbach, the Irons secured third place.
After the break, Sheraldo Becker sunk a Roussillon cross from nine meters to make it 1-0 (60th), opening the door to the premier class very wide.
Midfielder Rani Khedira on “DAZN”: “A wonderful goal. Sheraldo has that killer instinct – hats off! In the end we defended it well, showed a good away game, a dirty 1-0!”
Becker (right, hidden) shoots in to make it 1-0 Photo: picture alliance / dpa
Very important: Because Leipzig lost in Leverkusen (0:2), the lead over the Saxons is already four points. In the three-way battle for the premier class places, Freiburg lands an important win against Schalke (4-0) in the afternoon – that can’t matter to Union.
The team is facing the Champions League, but Khedira warns: “This league is too strong for you to dream of anything with five games to go.”
After a tough start, the game picks up speed thanks to Union.
Becker puts on Kevin Behrens, who hits the side netting (22′). Shortly thereafter, Becker is back. Itakura deflects his shot in the penalty area, but Gladbach keeper Omlin is there and saves (28′). The iron ones are better without really shining. It changes.
After the break, Behrens’ header just missed (54′). Union presses – and Becker hits. That’s enough.
Referee Martin Petersen shows Aissa Laidouni (covert) yellow Photo: picture alliance / dpa
It’s the 16th win of the season for Union, their own Bundesliga record set! Seven wins and 23 points on a foreign pitch are even a club record.
It continues on Saturday (3.30 p.m. / Sky). Leverkusen is coming to the Alte Försterei for the next Big Point game. Behrens will then be absent. The attacker sees his 5th yellow card before the break – suspension!