Union Berlin would have headed into their last three league games wondering where they were going to pick the points up from. Urs Fischer’s side steered into their Bundesliga game against table-topping Bayern Munich fresh off the back of the Berlin derby defeat, but before that, had won four and lost just two of their opening ten league games.
Union Berlin Get Through Tough Three Games But Will Have Mixed Feelings With the Results
Tricky Fixtures for Union Berlin But Five Points From Three Games Show Determination and Strength
Despite a solid start to the season, the derby defeat would have been a major blow for Union. The next three league games would also be just as tricky as Die Eisernen would face champions Bayern Munich before a trip to Stuttgart and the visit of Borussia Dortmund.
Vital Point Against Bayern
With league leaders Bayern Munich travelling to the capital, Union knew they would have their work cut out to pick up points.
However, Fischer’s side showcased an impressive first-half display and deservedly led at the breakthrough Grischa Prömel’s fourth-minute header. But they could have extended their lead before the break with Liverpool loanee Taiwo Awoniyi missing twice from one-on-one situations.
Although Bayern levelled in the second half, Union would have been pleased with the performance and the point against a very strong side.
Two Goals Conceded and Two Points Dropped at Stuttgart
Similarly, Union would have probably taken a point ahead of their game in Stuttgart. Die Roten were level on 17 points with Union heading into the game and were fresh off the back of back-to-back wins, including a 5-1 demolition of Borussia Dortmund.
But, when Union led 2-0 with just 14 minutes left, they may look at the result as two points dropped. Marvin Friedrich gave Die Eisernen an early lead before Awoniyi doubled the visitors’ advantage with under 15 minutes to play.
Late goals from Sasa Kalajdzic, with the latter being awarded after a VAR review, earned Stuttgart a point, leaving both sides three points off a European place in the Bundesliga.
Dortmund in the Capital
Last season, in what was Union’s first-ever in the top flight, Die Eisernen secured their first Bundesliga win of the new campaign with a 3-1 victory over Dortmund. The Stadion An der Alten Försterei erupted at full time and set the club onto, what turned out to be, a successful maiden season in the Bundesliga.
For this seasons visit, the season was 12 games in and the Black and Yellow sat just four points above Union. But, it was a similar result with Fischer’s side picking up another impressive three points.
Like in Stuttgart, Awoniyi and Friedrich were on the scoresheet for Union but the Liverpool loanee’s effort was cancelled out by Youssoufa Moukoko, who became the Bundesliga’s youngest ever scorer, aged 16 years and 28 days.
Five points from three tricky league fixtures will be a major boost as Union prepare for cup action against Paderborn on Tuesday, 22 December.
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