Union Berlin are through to the last 16 of the DFB Cup. However, the Eisernen only managed to win against the strong third-division team Waldhof Mannheim after extra time.
Waldhof Mannheim, for whom coach Patrick Glöckner had not changed the starting eleven after the 1:1 against Zwickau, put their stamp on the game at the beginning. The 4-5-1 team got off to a lightning start at home in the Carl-Benz Stadium: Rossipal fired the ball over the line from close range after just four minutes (4th minute). Before that, Union keeper Rönnow, one of four new signings for the Eisern after the 1:1 against Stuttgart alongside Oczipka, Behrens and Voglsammer, had only allowed the ball to be tapped home.
Union shocked early – but Behrens only needs one chance
Union was caught cold and had problems in the following game. The Berliners didn’t really get into the game – but the first successful attack led directly to the equaliser. Because Mannheim defended airily, Behrens, one of the three strikers of the visitors in a 3-4-3, was able to complete a co-production of the attackers by volleying into the net (18th). The remainder of the first half was a bit disjointed due to many minor fouls and the action took place mainly in midfield. There was often a lack of precision in the final pass. Only after an insecurity of Waldhof keeper Bartels (45th) did a noteworthy scene arise in a penalty area, which Waldhof managed to clear.
Mannheim better again – and then with a save on the line
With the restart, the home SVW started strong again and stormed forward. This time, however, Lebeau was unable to net from what should have been a good position and shot just wide (46th). Mannheim kept the pressure on, but Jurcher also narrowly missed the lead from an acute angle (53). Union then regained more control of the match, but did not become dangerous.
The picture remained the same for a longer period of time, there was hardly any danger because Mannheim in particular invested a lot and defended strongly. In the 75th minute, Knoche finally had a dangerous finish for Union – but Martinovic was able to clear the deflected attempt for his beaten keeper Bartels. Against the improving Eiserne, the Kurpfälzer also got the remaining offensive actions cleared, which is why it went into extra time. Especially in injury time, things got dicey once again when Bartels made a save against Awoniyi (90.+2).
Awoniyi makes the early decision
In the first half of extra time, however, the in-form Nigerian Awoniyi put the lid on the game and scored a well-placed goal to make it 2-1 (94). Third division Mannheim lacked energy in the last 30 minutes of the match. This was also evident in Donkor, who felled Behrens in the penalty area (116th) – but no whistle was blown. In the end, Behrens scored a brace in the 118th minute and ensured the final score. Nevertheless, SVW can leave the DFB Cup with their heads held high after a strong performance.
The draw for the DFB Cup Round of 16 will be made on Sunday. Already on Saturday, Waldhof Mannheim will host 1. FC Saarbrücken from 2 p.m. onwards. Union Berlin will host Bayern Munich on Saturday (3.30 p.m.)
