An intense derby could only find Union Berlin as the winner after 90 minutes. On this 12th Bundesliga matchday, the Eisern were clearly superior to Hertha BSC in terms of chances and also impressed with their extremely strong and secure defensive work. The well-deserved reward: the leap to 5th place.
Hertha captain Stark was looking forward to “an awesome derby “ in the run-up to this fifth Bundesliga city derby – and experienced himself at the start of the game how he and his colleagues actually got off to a good start in the duel at the Stadion an der Alten Försterei. But this feeling was not to last long, because the Eisernen (last 2:2 in Cologne) coached by Urs Fischer simply stood rock solid defensively and were in control after a few minutes. At the same time, the early 1:0 helped a lot: In the eighth minute, centre-back Marton Dardai, the 19-year-old son of coach Pal Dardai, missed the ball after Gießelmann had attempted to make a through pass, leaving Awoniyi free and cool in front of goalkeeper Schwolow. It was easily slotted in low to the left.
The Old Lady (1:1 against Leverkusen before the international break), who in the absence of Jovetic, who tested positive for Corona at short notice, again relied on Piatek up front and Dardai in defence for Boyata (red suspension), who was still missing, was now challenged. But basically over the whole 45 minutes, the Herthans found no means to create serious chances. Only Pekarik had a dangerous shot (37.)
Kruse, Trimmel, Pekarik – and the VAR
On the other side, meanwhile, the Köpenickers, who for the first time since Matchday 8 fielded attacking talent Kruse again (back after thigh problems), almost made it 2-0 through the ex-Bremer. Schwolow saved a shot from an acute angle (23rd), but was again helpless in minute 30 when Union captain Trimmel took an unprovoked shot from the right edge of the penalty area and scored down the left. The Hertha half was rounded off by the fact that Pekarik had actually headed in the goal seconds before the break to make it 1:2, but after VAR intervention it was ruled to be offside by Piatek, who had been on the ball seconds before (45.+3).
The Eisernen let the 3:0 slip away
The Herthans opened the second period motivated, with striker Belfodil coming on for set-up player Tousart. But the best chances were missed by Union: Awoniyi missed a promising counterattack (53rd), Kruse despaired of a great save by Schwolow (58th), Prömel surprisingly shot over from close range (59th) and the former Herthaner Haraguchi could just be blocked after a great solo (62nd). Meanwhile, the guests, who were certainly motivated but lacked ideas, were not creative enough.
The other wild cards, Boateng and Ekkelenkamp, were of no help until well into the final phase, as 1. FC Union was clearly more dangerous. This was underlined by two very good finishes from Becker, one of which hit the crossbar in the 90th minute.
In the end, it remained a completely deserved 2:0 for Union, who jumped to 5th place with this derby treble – and for whom it already continues on Thursday in the Europa Conference League at Maccabi Haifa, before the away game in Frankfurt awaits on Sunday. Hertha, meanwhile, are deep in it – and have to play against table-toppers Augsburg on Saturday.
