Union Berlin remains the first pursuer of leaders Bayern Munich at the start of the second half of the Bundesliga season. The “Köpenicker” won the Berlin derby against Hertha BSC on Saturday (01/28/2023) as they did at the start of the first half of the season (3-1). Defender Danilho Doekhi gave the “Iron” the lead in the 2-0 (1-0) win in the Olympic Stadium (44th). After a counterattack, Paul Seguin made it 2-0 for the fifth derby win in a row (67th).
The Berlin football world could not be more clearly sorted at the start of the second half of the season: 1. FC Union is in second place after the third win in the third game after the restart (36 points). Hertha BSC lost all three competitive games in 2023 and is next to bottom with 14 points. “It was very close for 90 minutes. In the end we are the lucky winners. We were efficient,” admitted Union coach Urs Fischer.
Union also relied on its proven recipe in the Berlin city duel and expected Hertha deeply. The hosts didn’t lack the will to break through the bulwark of the Köpenicker, but overall Hertha was too harmless offensively and hardly played any dangerous scenes.
“We played a very good first half, were very active and courageous. It’s disappointing when it comes to the result. We are aware that you need points in our situation,” summarized coach Sandro Schwarz.
Doekhi strikes again
The “Iron Ones” were completely different: As is so often the case, coach Urs Fischer’s team was able to rely on set pieces and counterattacks. At 1:0 Christopher Trimmel brought a precise free kick to Doekhi in the penalty area. The defender, who scored twice in the 3-1 win against Hoffenheim last week, beat two Hertha players in the air and headed in.
Union made it 2-0 after winning the ball in their own penalty area with a spotless counterattack. Sheraldo Becker escaped on the left flank and had an eye for Seguin, who had run with him. He only had to push in centrally from eleven meters. Hertha didn’t give up, but more than a Tousart header after a corner kick, which Union goalkeeper Frederik Rönnow parried well (74th), didn’t jump out. The guests defended the rest without humor.
Union during the week against Wolfsburg
Union’s path continues during the week in the DFB Cup. In the round of 16, the Köpenickers will receive VfL Wolfsburg on Tuesday (01/31/2023, 8:45 p.m.). After that, 1. FSV Mainz 05 will be visiting the “Alten Försterei” in the Bundesliga on Saturday (04.02.2023, 3.30 p.m.).
Hertha BSC also has to play away at Eintracht Frankfurt on the 19th matchday on Saturday.