Max Kruse shoots Union Berlin to victory in Mönchengladbach

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Moenchengladbach/Berlin1. FC Union Berlin has continued its almost uncanny streak of success, celebrating its ninth win of the season in Mönchengladbach on Saturday afternoon. Thanks to Max Kruse, who initially converted a hand penalty in the 2-1 (1-1) against Borussia, who were also dominant in the second half, and then six minutes before the end of regular time with a well-placed shot into the far corner to win the game coach Urs Fischer’s team to decide. Twelve points lie between the Köpenickers (34 points) and the Mönchengladbachers, who will probably not be able to avoid another sacking of the coach.

Fischer had changed his team five positions compared to the success in the cup round of 16 against Hertha BSC. It was a little surprising that Frederik Rönnow was used from the start alongside Christopher Trimmel (for Julian Ryerson), Niko Gießelmann (for Bastian Oczipka), Paul Jaeckel (for Dominique Heintz) and Sheraldo Becker (for Levin Öztunali). The Dane gave the goalkeeper for Andreas Luthe and was immediately the target of the hosts’ early forechecking.

The 29-year-old, who after his transfer from Frankfurt to Köpenick had expected something other than the role of substitute keeper last summer, seemed confident in every practical exercise, processed the back passes cleanly and calmly did the first catching exercises on his Bundesliga debut for Union. There was no nervousness there. Which of course also applies to the men in front, who actually only made a few mistakes in defensive work in the past few weeks and thus created the basis for the ongoing success story.

Max Kruse transfers Yann Sommer

After the first attempts at attack by Mönchengladbach, the Irons gradually came up with their first offensive actions themselves and finally made it 1-0 in the 18th minute. Referee Felix Brych helped them along the way. Or the video assistant, who ordered his colleague in charge to the sidelines to study slow motion after a cross from Sheraldo Becker. Lo and behold: Brych judged Denis Zakaria’s handball, who obviously but not intentionally touched the ball with his forearm, as worthy of a penalty. Kruse took responsibility, took five steps, sent Yann Sommer into the wrong corner and finally celebrated his fourth goal of the season.

As a result, the Reds once again had everything attacking, especially thanks to the diligent work of Grischa Prömel and Rani Khedira, repeatedly forcing the hosts to pass back or cross, preventing Jonas Hofmann or Breel Embolo from picking up the pace. There was only one problem for the Köpenickers: Kouadio Koné.

Union has a problem: Kouadio Kone

The Frenchman was somehow untouchable and, despite his role as a defensive midfielder, kept popping up as a potential buyer of cross balls near the Union penalty area. Like in the 40th minute, when Embolo tunnelled Robin Knoche on the center line, Embolo got Hofmann going with a fine pass and Hofmann finally discovered Koné as a pass after a hook. Koné, this exceptional talent who was only 20 years old, had too much time in this position, center goal, four or five meters from the penalty area, and was able to get the ball ready. Rönnow was powerless against his flick, no matter how much it stretched.

Koné was also the player with the greatest radius of action in the second half, in which the Union players acted a bit too passively and the counterattack chances that presented themselves were not played through to the anger of Fischer. Ultimately, however, the Iron Ones had an answer to everything he set in motion. And they had Knoche, Jaeckel and Timo Baumgartl, who shone with their ability to concentrate.

Just like Rönnow, who was always there at the right moment, prevented the 1:2 in the 77th minute with a brilliant foot defense against Matthias Ginter, who finished from a tight angle. Luca Netz finally chased the rebound from five meters over the goal. So Fischer took the certainty with him into the international break that his number two also has what it takes to be number one.

Well, and then there is another one like Kruse on the Union side. In the second half he repeatedly complained that his colleagues did not bring him into play. Until Niko Gießelmann had an inspiration and sent Kruse into the penalty area with a lightning-fast through ball. And Kruse had no mercy on Borussia, for whom he had already stormed.

Marvin Friedrich duels with Andreas Voglsammer

At this point, of course, the reunion with Marvin Friedrich must also be briefly discussed. The defender, who despite the excellent sporting prospects at Union had switched to the ailing Borussia at the beginning of the winter transfer period, acted as a left central defender on Saturday and therefore had to deal with Andreas Voglsammer quite often. Voglsammer felt the harshness of his former teammate several times, especially in the 28th minute when Friedrich made a save for him and saw a yellow card for it. And Friedrich almost managed to score. But his header in the 44th minute was too unplaced.

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