Union Berlin can still win: Coach Nenad Bjelica celebrated a perfect Bundesliga debut in the deserved win against Mönchengladbach.
After an extremely long dry spell of 16 consecutive competitive games without a win, 1. FC Union Berlin has won again. Kevin Volland (23rd, hand penalty), Benedict Hollerbach (50th) and Mikkel Kaufmann (75th) scored Berlin’s goals in the deserved 3-1 (1-0) Bundesliga win against Borussia Mönchengladbach. Alassane Pléa’s goal (77′) didn’t turn things around.
Almost two weeks ago, the Croatian Bjelica took over from the successful coach Urs Fischer and made his debut in the 1-1 draw in Braga in the Champions League. Now he led Union to their first Bundesliga win of the season and thus away from the bottom of the table, at least for the time being.
Net causes hand penalty
Four days after winning the DFB Cup game against Wolfsburg, Mönchengladbach proved to be a good opponent and allowed many scoring opportunities. But Union needed a penalty to take the lead: Luca Netz stretched his arms wide in the header duel with Volland and got the ball in his hands. Volland converted the justifiable penalty in the bottom left.
With the second goal, summer signing Hollerbach was rewarded for a strong performance. The 22-year-old scored his first Bundesliga goal from 20 meters into the left corner. Hollerbach was only allowed to play for Union from the start for the third time and made a lot of points with his strong dribbling skills.
Bad pass from Elvedi
The 3-0 was a gift from Gladbach: Nico Elvedi played a major bad pass in his own half. Kaufmann, who had recently been substituted, sprinted in between, tunneled past Florian Neuhaus and scored well into the right corner. The Dane also scored for the first time in the Bundesliga. Wie Hollerbach has only been under contract in Berlin since the summer and has only been used as a joker so far.
After all, Borussia responded directly with a perfect cross from Honorat and a remarkable header goal from Plea. But it wasn’t really exciting anymore.
Gladbach against Bremen, Union in Bochum
With the victory, Union also gained self-confidence for the Champions League duel with Real Madrid on Tuesday (9 p.m.) in the Berlin Olympic Stadium. The Bundesliga relegation battle continues on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. with the away game at VfL Bochum.
The day before, Mönchengladbach opened the 15th Bundesliga matchday with a game against Werder Bremen (Friday, 8:30 p.m.).