The balance of power in professional football in Berlin is clearly defined right from the first matchday of the 2022/23 season: Union clearly beat Hertha on Saturday (08/06/22). In the seventh derby in the Bundesliga since promotion in 2019, the Köpenickers extended their winning streak to four consecutive successes with a 3-1 (1-0) win.
Jordan Siebatcheu took the lead (31′) Sheraldo Becker and Robin Knoche increased shortly after the break (50′ and 54′). Dodi Lukébakio scored the consolation goal from Hertha’s point of view (85th).
Union was the stronger team from the start and created significantly more chances to score. Hertha BSC scored exactly one goal during the first 45 minutes. The hosts put a lot of pressure on the wings in particular, the guests acted far too lethargically.
Access meets Siebatcheu
After a good half hour, Becker was able to cross unhindered from the right and found a perfect buyer in Siebatcheu, who had just joined the club. His header was untenable for Hertha keeper Oliver Christensen. Julian Ryerson narrowly missed making it 2-0 with a long-range shot before the break.
After the change of sides, Union quickly increased: Becker presented himself again strongly in a duel and increased to 2-0 with a low shot in cooperation with Janik Haberer. Without showing any resistance, Hertha BSC conceded a third goal a little later: Robin Knoche headed in unchallenged after a corner to make it 3-0.
The goal scored in the left corner by Dodi Lukebakio was at least a bit of a cosmetic result from the point of view of the guests – who, after the painful loss of the cup at second division promoted Eintracht Braunschweig, had to accept their second competitive defeat under the new coach Sandro Schwarz.
Union Berlin travels to Mainz on the 2nd matchday on Sunday (14.08.2022), Hertha BSC plays Frankfurt the day before.