Union Berlin flying, Hertha Berlin floundering in Bundesliga

By: Ciarán Fahey, The Associated Press Posted: 11:08 AM CST Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023 Last Modified: 1:47 PM CST Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023

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BERLIN (AP) — Union Berlin came from behind to beat Hoffenheim 3-1 and rose to third in the Bundesliga while city rival Hertha Berlin lost by the same score at Bochum to drop into the relegation zone on Saturday.

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 21/01/2023 (1322 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Forward Jordan Pefok missed an early penalty for Union when his effort crashed off the left post. Then Hoffenheim’s Ihlas Bebou, making his first appearance of the season after a knee injury, shocked the home team on a counterattack just before halftime.

Union responded with relentless pressure after the break and captain Christopher Trimmel set up defender Danilho Doekhi for two late headed goals to send the home fans wild amid flurries of snow.

Freiburg's Ritsu Doan, left, and Wolfsburg's Paulo Otavio challenge for the ball during the German Bundesliga soccer match between VfL Wolfsburg and SC Freiburg in Wolfsburg, Germany, Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023. (Swen Pfoertner/dpa via AP)

Jamie Leweling really got the party going by sealing the win in injury time.

A CITY OF TWO TALES

While Union is flying, Hertha is floundering.

Former Union player Keven Schlotterbeck scored on his Bochum debut to help the home team climb out of the relegation zone at the visitor’s expense.

Hertha coach Sandro Schwarz was left shaking his head on the sideline.

“The corner statistics are symptomatic for today’s game – 6-1 for us – but the opponent used two set-pieces to score,” Schwarz said. “It was too little today.”

Both Hertha and Union have midweek games before the city derby next weekend.

FREIBURG FLOP

Freiburg slumped to a 6-0 rout at Wolfsburg to drop from second place to fourth, behind Union on goal difference.

“It’s best if I say nothing, then I can’t say anything wrong,” Freiburg coach Christian Streich said.

BAYERN BOUNCE

Saturday’s results meant Bayern Munich stretched its lead to five points despite its drawing 1-1 in Leipzig on Friday. The 10-time defending champion is assured of being first at the halfway stage, earning the unofficial title of “fall champion.”

Since the introduction of three points for a win, Bayern has gone on to win the title 15 times from the 16 seasons it was leading at the halfway stage.

COLOGNE CARNIVAL

Wolfsburg's Jonas Wind celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between VfL Wolfsburg and SC Freiburg in Wolfsburg, Germany, Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023. (Swen Pfoertner/dpa via AP)

Germany forward Niclas Füllkrug scored again for Werder Bremen, taking his season tally to 11, but his team conceded seven goals at Cologne in a 7-1 loss.

The outstanding Steffen Tigges scored two and set up two more in the first half alone.

Cologne didn’t win any of its previous five league games.

SCHALKE RECORD

Eintracht Frankfurt moved to second after a 2-0 win over visiting Schalke, which remained on the bottom after just two wins all season.

Schalke’s 36th consecutive away game without a win in the Bundesliga set a new league record.