By Sebastian Karkos
Once again it was close at BVB. Once again, Union went empty handed in Dortmund (1: 2) – in their sixth competitive game in total.
Substitute Youssoufa Moukoko (79th) scored the 2-1 winner for BVB. Kevin Behrens (61st) equalized Donyell Malen’s lead in Dortmund (28th). Trainer Urs Fischer (57): “A bitter defeat.”
BZ names the findings after the defeat in Dortmund.
► The first half remains difficult for the iron! Since the beginning of February (2-1 against Mainz), Union has been waiting for a goal before the break in the league. In Dortmund there was again little or nothing in the first 45 minutes: 0:5 corners, not a shot directly on goal, ball possession: 30 percent. At least the team didn’t go down like four days earlier in Frankfurt (0:2). And so Fischer praised after the game: “We were there from the start and didn’t allow much.”
Frederik Rönnow was also powerless. After an unwanted textbook template from Paul Seguin, Youssoufa Moukoko comes to the ball, curves around the Union goalkeeper and pushes in to win Photo: Lars Baron/Getty Images
► With Frederik Ronnow there is peace in the gate again! The Köpenickers had to do without the ailing Rönnow for two games. Representative Lennart Grill had good scenes against Stuttgart (3-0) and in Frankfurt, but also some bad ones. Fischer longed for Rönnow’s comeback and stated after the BVB game: “It was important that our regular goalkeeper got back into the goal. Freddi played a good game, he was there in the first half.” And that was when Sebastien Haller headed the ball (43′). Otherwise the Dane got little to do.
► Change does not always have a positive effect! Kevin Behrens made it 1-1 in the 61st minute – and then had to leave immediately. Both Jamie Leweling and Paul Seguin were ready just before the equalizer. Behrens: “Of course I would have liked to have stayed there. Of course it annoys you with the goal in the back.” Fischer didn’t change his decision in the short term, explaining: “Yes, the campaign ran for a while, we wanted to change beforehand. It was still our opinion to get freshness onto the pitch again.”
Becker manages fifth submission of the season
However, both Leweling and Seguin failed to score. When Leweling got stuck in the BVB defense for the second time within a very short time, Fischer despaired on the line. Seguin made the unfortunate misstep on winning goalscorer Moukoko. Gone stupid! Substituting Sheraldo Becker (Sven Michel came on for him in the 74th minute) didn’t help Union either. The offensive man was good in the game after the break, the Köpenicker even seemed closer to the second goal. By the way: For Becker, the assist before the 1-1 was the fifth assist this season. He is now, together with Christopher Trimmel, the top preparer for the Irons.
Title gone, Champions League is approaching
► The championship is no longer an issue, but the Champions League is becoming more and more likely! With a win in Dortmund, Union could actually have intervened in the championship fight. The issue is now closed. The iron ones will be able to get over it.
The fact is: Union’s lead over non-European rank 7 is a whopping ten points. Europe is as good as certain with seven games to go, the Champions League is in the hands of the Berliners who are currently third. Since Freiburg also lost (0:1 against FC Bayern), little has changed for the Irons over the Easter weekend.
Even if RB Leipzig (1-0 at Hertha, three points as fourth in the table behind Union) should still come – the Breisgauer, four points behind, have not been able to get close to the Irons for weeks. Freiburg comes to the Alte Försterei on the 32nd matchday. Will the premier class be fixed then?