16th matchday
Doekhi turns the game for Union: 3:1 against Hoffenheim
Union’s Danilho Doekhi (2nd from left) celebrates with his teammates after his goal to make it 1-1. photo
© Andreas Gora/dpa
Union Berlin went into the winter break with disappointing results. At the restart, the team has a penalty problem again. But a defender secures victory.
After three games without a win before the winter break, 1. FC Union Berlin has returned with a home win in the Bundesliga thanks to defender Danilho Doekhi. Coach Urs Fischer’s team beat TSG Hoffenheim 3-1 (0-1) and has now gone 14 games without defeat in the league at the An der Alten Försterei stadium.
In front of 21,747 spectators, the recovered Ihlas Bebou gave the guests the lead (43rd minute) in his first game of the season on matchday 16. Doekhi (73’/89′) turned the game around for the Berliners with two headers after captain Christopher Trimmel’s corners. Substitute Jamie Leweling made the decision (90+6) Union striker Jordan Siebatcheu shot a hand penalty caused by Bebou (25′) against the post.
While Union jumped back into a Champions League place, the disappointing season of TSG under coach André Breitenreiter continues. Hoffenheim, who started the season with high expectations, have been waiting for a win for six league games and have to be careful not to slip into the relegation battle.
In the English week, TSG continues at home against Stuttgart on Tuesday evening (8.30 p.m. / Sky). Union occurs a day later at Werder Bremen (8.30 p.m. / Sky).
Hoffenheim coach Breitenreiter initially left new signing Kasper Dolberg, who is in focus at TSG after Georginio Rutter left Leeds United, on the bench. In attack, the coach relied on Bebou, who is practically another new signing after his long-term knee injury. In addition, the young offensive player Tom Bischof made his starting eleven debut.
The 17-year-old could have made a perfect debut after just eight minutes. After a nice push-through pass, Angelino put the ball on him in a central position, but Bischof twisted free-standing.
In the friendlies, Fischer sometimes lacked consistency in defending with his team. Again and again his team had problems with the opponent’s quick combinations in the first half against Hoffenheim. Bebou completed a counterattack by the Kraichgauer after a nice shot straight from the run to make it 1-0.
In attack, however, the hosts also knew how to convince when snow started to fall. After Julian Ryerson’s departure to Borussia Dortmund, Niko Gießelmann and Trimmel showed that the Berliners are thin in the full-back position, but have quality players. You have been involved in many good opportunities.
But the Iron still have a penalty problem. After a cross, Bebou got the ball in a header duel. But Siebatcheu, who was preferred to Kevin Behrens, also missed his second Bundesliga penalty. He had previously awarded in Cologne in September. The Irons have only converted one of five penalties in the league so far this season.
After the change, Union increased the pressure. Robin Knoche (48th), Trimmel (55th) and Sheraldo Becker (56th) awarded from good positions. Hoffenheim hardly got any offensive action of their own. The Berliners remained dangerous after flanks. After a corner by Trimmel, Doekhi headed in. Shortly thereafter, substitute Behrens’ header landed just wide of the goal (75′). Doekhi headed the 2-1 up just before the end to huge cheers. Leweling provided the closing point.