Union Berlin is getting closer and closer to the Champions League. The Köpenickers also deservedly won 1-0 (0-0) at Borussia Mönchengladbach, consolidated third place and go into the last five matchdays of the season with the very best premier class cards. The strong Sheraldo Becker (60th) scored his ninth goal of the season for Union in a long, poor encounter, which appeared ice-cold and ripped off.
In the fight for the European elite class, which was completely utopian just a few years ago, the team of coach Urs Fischer is already four points ahead of fifth place. Before kick-off, Fischer said his team had to “go to the limit”. Physically, his eleven were present from the start, but both teams initially disappointed in terms of play. Anyone who was only able to follow the action to a limited extent because of the smoke from the Gladbach fan choreography hanging in the air missed nothing apart from harmless long-range shots.
It took almost half an hour until the game finally got some speed. Union, in particular, benefited from this and now found the gaps in the Gladbach back four with sharp passes. The result was the first notable chance of the evening: A shot by the conspicuous Becker was dangerously deflected, but goalkeeper Jonas Omlin was there (28th). Up until the break, it only became dangerous with a free kick on the edge of the penalty area.
Gladbach striker Marcus Thuram went down a little voluntarily, but Ramy Bensebaini was still allowed to try his luck from 16 meters – and failed against the wall. It was the most dangerous scene in the first round for Borussia, who had been pinned down in tenth place for weeks. After the break, Union immediately played a lot more biting, especially Jerome Roussillon now made a lot of steam on the left.
The only drawback: At the latest at the edge of the penalty area it was the end of the line, the Köpenicker made far too little of the now clear superiority. There was no sign of the hosts, however. A strong action then led to the well-deserved Union lead: Roussillon was allowed to cross unhindered from the left, Nico Elvedi let Becker escape – and he hit the left corner with a direct shot from nine meters.