2024-05-05 16:55:13
1. FC Union Berlin has to seriously worry about staying in the league. There was a bitter home defeat in the basement duel with VfL Bochum.
The home game against VfL Bochum was actually supposed to be a liberation in the relegation battle for 1. FC Union Berlin. But Nenad Bjelica’s team ultimately lost out against their direct rivals in a wild game. The capital club lost the game 3:4 (0:3) and now has to worry more than ever about staying in the league.
Maximilian Wittek with a brace (16th, 31st minute) and former Union player Keven Schlotterbeck (37th) ensured clear conditions at the Alte Försterei in the first half. Union didn’t give up, however, and responded with two goals within three minutes in the second period.
Yorbe Vertessen (59th) and Chris Bedia (62nd) made the home team dream of a sensational comeback. But Philipp Hofmann played the party crasher and made it 4-2 again from the visitors’ perspective (70th), before Benedict Hollerbach brought the “Iron” closer again (74th). But it wasn’t enough for more.
The air is now getting thinner for Union. The capital city club is currently in 15th place. Mainz 05 in relegation place 16 can overtake the Berliners in the evening with a win in Heidenheim. Next week, Union has to play away at 17th place Cologne. Bochum is in 14th place and is very close to staying in the league.
That’s how the game went
The Bochum team exposed the Unioners’ deficits with their first quick attack. Wittek had little trouble shooting in a cross from Moritz Broschinski to give VfL the lead. Because it was so easy, the 28-year-old repeated his work on his own fifteen minutes later. Four Union professionals looked on politely from a safe distance that was not football-related. “Wake up,” chanted the Union fans.
The deep sleep of the Iron Ones continued. Schlotterbeck – a non-relegation hero in Union’s debut season in the Bundesliga in 2020 – was invited without resistance to score the third goal for the visitors. “We’re staying in,” chanted the Bochum fans this time.
Conceding three goals against FC Bayern in a 5-1 defeat in the second half was just about bearable about two weeks ago. But against Bochum? There was a team on the pitch without any enthusiasm, without any will. But important words must have been spoken at halftime.
After three changes (Aaronson, Bedia, Vertessen) and a tactical change, the Union’s fighting spirit was back. The goals from Vertessen and Bedia were forced in Union style. But there was no Berlin happy ending. With his goal, Hofmann showed the center forward qualities that Union lacks, even if Hollerbach provided hope again.