Berlin, Germany – Second-half goals from Jordan Sibachew and Sherard Becker lift Union Berlin back to top of the Bundesliga.
Union are just entering their fourth season in the top division and are the only team in the Bundesliga to remain undefeated in seven days of matches, topping the table for the second consecutive week.
Union manager Urs Fischer suggested that things were going so well with Tabletopping’s team that they could take a backseat.
Fischer told German news agency SID: “The team’s performance was very impressive. It was a very mature performance in my eyes.”
“We were very dominant in the second half. We didn’t feel the need to exert influence from the outside.”
Before the game, the biggest cheers from the Alte Förstelei crowd was the return of defender Timo Baumgartl, who made his first appearance in 11 starts since beating testicular cancer.
After the win, Baumgartl told broadcaster DAZN, “That’s exactly what I dreamed of after going through chemotherapy.”
“These are moving moments for me.”
Furious at Fersterei
As in the previous game against Cologne, the Union started the match with a bang, almost taking the lead just 45 seconds later when Yannik Haveler blocked from Wolfsburg keeper Cohen Castiels.
Union had another chance through Becker just two minutes later, but the Bundesliga’s top goalscorer threw in a ferocious overshoot.
As the second half progressed, Niko Kovac’s Wolfsburg got out of trouble, and Josip Brecaro’s shot just missed the backheel of Bartol Frangic.
Siebatcheu were inches behind breaking the deadlock in the 46th minute, but it didn’t take long for the American to give the home side the lead when he headed a perfect Becker cross from close range in the 54th minute. did.
Provider turned scorer in the 77th minute, passing Castile for his sixth goal of the season after Becker controlled a long ball with his chest.
While Union sat first, Wolfsburg finished the round penultimate in the table, with one win and two draws from seven matches.
“Union deserves to win,” Kovac said in his post-match press conference, but said it was too early for Wolves to worry about relegation.
“No one is relegated in seven games, no one is champion,” Kovac said.
“We’re not doing the basics right. Passion, brotherhood, fighting spirit, that’s what we lack now. (And) that’s what I see at Union.”
Becker and Sibatscheu combined for nine of the Union’s 15 goals, with Becker providing three assists.
Also on Sunday, Bochum missed a golden opportunity to secure their first win of the season, conceding a late equalizer at home to Cologne to draw 1-1.
Bochum played in their first match since sacking coach Thomas Reis mid-week after losing the first six games, taking the lead in the ninth minute with an own goal by Benno Schmitz.
The home side appeared to be holding on to their first win since May, but German midfielder Linton Maina scored in the final minute of regulation time to give the away side a draw.
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