Union beaten by title-chasers Borussia Dortmund
Heavy loss for Fischer's team:
Borussia Dortmund ran out 5-0 winners against 1. FC Union Berlin at the Signal Iduna Park.
Lucien Favre's side commanded a two-goal lead at the end of the first half through goals from Jadon Sancho and Erling Haaland. Marco Reus ended the game as a contest after 69 minutes from the penalty spot before the Norwegian added another along with Axel Witsel.
Borussia Dortmund: Bürki; Hakimi (Zagadou 64), Piszczek, Akanji, Hummels; Guerreiro, Witsel; Brandt, Reus (Hazard 72), Sancho; Haaland (Reyna 79)
1. FC Union Berlin: Gikiewicz; Schlotterbeck, Subotic, Friedrich; Trimmel (Ryerson 74), Lenz, Andrich, Gentner (Prömel 69); Malli (Becker 59), Andersson, Bülter
Head coach Urs Fischer changed his side about from the 2-0 home win against Augsburg last Saturday. Both changes freshened up the XI on the flanks with Marius Bülter replacing Anthony Ujah and Marcus Ingvartsen sitting out as Yunus Malli was given his first Bundesliga start for the Köpenick club. Bülter, who scored the opener in Leipzig a fortnight ago, was a few centimetres away from slotting in the opener after three minutes. However, the positive start appeared to come against the eventual flow of the game as Favre’s men dominated with an impressive speed and purpose. Jadon Sancho’s shot was deflected past Rafal Gikiewicz after 13 minutes and Erling Haaland knocked home Julian Brandt’s cross five minutes later. As the half drew to a close, Union carved out one chance from a set piece – Trimmel’s delivery found Keven Schlotterbeck unmarked but the on-loan central defender blazed over.
The same Union players emerged after the break and enjoyed a decent enough period. Bülter drilled a shot inches wide of Roman Bürki’s target after cutting inside from right on to his left foot. Malli’s game was over after 59 minutes as he was replaced by Sheraldo Becker, but seven minutes later, the home side were home and dry. Benjamin Cortius pointed to the spot after Haaland went down in the box and after confirmation from VAR, Marco Reus slotted home. A small glimmer of positivity from Saturday’s game was the return of midfielder Grischa Prömel in the 69th minute after taking the place of Christian Gentner. Sancho set up Axel Witsel for the fourth on 70 minutes and Haaland bagged his second with 76 gone. Julian Ryerson ended the game at right back in place of Trimmel, while Marvin Friedrich accepted the captain’s armband for the remainder of the 90 minutes.
A difficult afternoon's work will be put to one side in midweek as Union make the trip to SC Verl in the DFB Pokal on Wednesday at 18:30. Afterwards, the squad will head north to Bremen where Union will look to avenge the disappointing result against Dortmund at the Weser-Stadion on Saturday afternoon.
