While Union Berlin loses its fourth competitive game in a row, TSG Hoffenheim remains in the top group of the Bundesliga.
After the highlight game at Real Madrid in the Bundesliga, Union Berlin finally slipped into a results crisis. With an unfortunate Bundesliga debutant and European champion Leonardo Bonucci, coach Urs Fischer’s team lost 0-2 (0-2) against TSG Hoffenheim on Saturday.
Three days after the bitter 1-0 defeat at Real in the Champions League, the Berliners suffered their fourth competitive defeat in a row.
Kramaric and Beier score for TSG
Andrej Kramaric (22nd, penalty kick) and Maximilian Beier (38th) scored for Hoffenheim with his fourth goal of the season. After their third league defeat in a row, the Iron have six points from five games. Meanwhile, TSG pushed into the top group of the Bundesliga after their fourth success in a row.
Union cannot put Hoffenheim in danger
“We tried to focus on TSG Hoffenheim as quickly as possible”, Fischer said after the guest appearance in Madrid. And the Unioners didn’t lack courage at the beginning, but rather the means to put Hoffenheim in serious danger. After a balanced start, TSG picked up a little more speed thanks to the agile Maximilian Beier and Wout Weghorst.
After Beier (15th) approached the goal with a long-range shot from the edge of the penalty area, which Union goalkeeper Frederik Rönnow parried with ease, it was the debutant of the day who made the first mistake. Bonucci, who is so strong at Real and at 36 years and 145 days the oldest Bundesliga newcomer playing in the field for 21 years, pulled on Kramaric, who was standing with his back to the goal, completely unnecessarily. The Croatian fell and shot in from the spot to take the lead.
Second penalty reversed by VAR
The Köpenickers often found themselves in trouble in defense. After a counterattack on the right side, ex-Union Grischa Prömel found Beier, who had taken off, in the center, who prevailed against Bonucci and poked the ball into the goal. Referee Deniz Aytekin also took back a second penalty kick (41st) for TSG after consulting the video assistant.
After the break the hosts became more compelling. A few seconds after Hoffenheim’s Ihlas Bebou hit the side netting, Kevin Behrens (59′) had a great chance to score. However, after a bad pass from TSG professional Robert Skov, the attacker, who had already been traded for the national team, narrowly missed the empty goal from around 20 meters.
Three minutes later, Lucas Tousart tested TSG keeper Oliver Baumann with a shot before Fofana tossed Hoffenheim’s defense into disarray several times. After a great solo run, the Chelsea loan (70th) failed due to Baumann.
TSG welcomes Dortmund, Union in Heidenheim
At the start of the 6th matchday, TSG Hoffenheim hosts BVB (Friday, September 29th, 2023 at 8:30 p.m.). One day later, 1. FC Union Berlin will face Heidenheim away (3:30 p.m.).