Robin Knoche (centre) jubilantly turns away after his penalty. Rani Khedira (right) and Sven Michel are also happy Photo: ODD ANDERSEN/AFP
By Sebastian Karkos
Sheraldo Becker (27) – that was and is Union’s difference player. The offensive man has scored seven goals and four assists in all competitions so far. Now the Irons have a second professional who makes the difference: Robin Knoche (30).
On Thursday against Malmö (1-0) he scored the winner from the penalty spot (89th). Ironically, the chief of defense! Knoche: “I’ve already shot one or the other in training. This time I took responsibility. That worked.” And how!
Malmö’s goalkeeper Ismael Diawara (27) had no chance to defend himself when he placed a right-footed shot. Even Union keeper Frederik Rönnow (30) was amazed: “He did a great job.”
Will Knoche remain Union’s penalty shooter number 1? The defender: “Of course we have our division. You have to see how you feel.” Incidentally, the previous penalty was missed. By Jordan Siebatcheu (26) on matchday 6 in Cologne (1-0).
Bone should therefore be set for the time being. Just like he is in the starting eleven of the Köpenicker. He has now had three 1-0 wins in a row. Always against Malmö, in between in Stuttgart. When the ex-Wolfsburg player was absent in Frankfurt, it was a 2-0 defeat. Coincidence?
It is also clear: Malmö cannot be a benchmark. The (still) Swedish champion didn’t get a shot directly on goal in 90 minutes. Dortmund should be a completely different caliber on Sunday (5:30 p.m. / DAZN). Knoche: “We have to get our energy back on the pitch.” Maybe there will be another penalty…