Opportunity not taken: 1. FC Union Berlin and Eintracht Frankfurt were able to move into the top three with a win in the clash of surprises in the Bundesliga – but they drew 1-1 (0-1).
Mario Götze gave Frankfurt an early lead (14th minute), Benedict Hollerbach scored the point in the 66th minute for Berlin, who played in the majority for almost a quarter of an hour after Arthur Theate was shown a yellow-red card.
The fact that in the game between Union and Frankfurt the question of who would take third place would hardly have been expected before the season. At the end of last season, the Berliners had barely secured relegation on the last matchday; Eintracht were sixth, but also far away from the top teams in the league. But at least currently, both are included.
While Union achieved this with highly disciplined and efficient football, the explanation for Frankfurt’s success lies more in the spectacular style of play – especially that of Omar Marmoush, who was the Bundesliga’s top scorer with nine goals before matchday. The clash between the different philosophies was an up and down without a winner.
Sports show Bundesliga highlights, October 27th, 2024 7:31 p.m
Frankfurt’s Götze receives a goal invitation, Union’s Rothe misses twice
Frankfurt started strong and dominant and had the first big opportunity through Theate, but his side kick went just over the opponent’s goal (5th). Berlin also had a great chance through Tom Rothe, who shot past from close range, but the balance of power was already clearly in favor of Eintracht. And soon it showed on the scoreboard.
After a corner, there was a commotion in the Berlin penalty area and finally the ball rolled towards Götze, who scored 1-0 for the guests from three meters, completely unchallenged (14th). It was the first goal of the season for the midfielder, who had not been particularly effective so far this season and was playing his 300th Bundesliga game in Berlin.
As a result, Frankfurt took its foot off the gas and the game lost pace accordingly. A long-range shot from Yorbe Vertessen, which Kevin Trapp was able to parry (29th), was the start of a period of pressure from Berlin, which Rothe actually had to reward from five meters. But he again lacked accuracy in the finish (35th).
Union misses further opportunities
The happier team initially stayed in Frankfurt after the break. After a long throw-in, Christopher Trimmel volleyed a shot from 22 meters and hit the post (50th). For the third time, Union was very close to the first goal, and for the third time it didn’t fall. And Hollerbach also didn’t get the ball into the goal from seven meters because he didn’t hit it fully after a cross from the half field (59′).
Union pressed and pressed – and had surprisingly little trouble neutralizing Frankfurt’s counterattack strength. The feared counter-attacks from Marmoush and Co. failed to materialize, so Berlin’s missed opportunities did not ensure that the guests decided the game with their own offensive action. So it stayed exciting.
First Berlin’s Hollerbach hits, then Eintracht’s Theate flies
And then Union finally rewarded themselves for a strong performance. Just seconds after being substituted, Robert Skov sprinted out, dribbled past an opponent and played straight to Hollerbach, who scored the well-deserved equalizer with a soulful lob (66′).
And then there was a lot more to it. Because in the 77th minute Theate saw yellow-red (Frankfurt subsequently protested against a suspension), so Union played with one more man in the final phase of the game. However, coach Bo Svensson’s team couldn’t take advantage of this, although Tim Skarke shot the ball into the Frankfurt goal again (90th + 1). However, Trimmel is said to have been offside in advance and the goal did not count.
Berlin didn’t move up to third place, but at least it moved up one place to fourth place due to SC Freiburg’s defeat at RB Leipzig (1:3). Frankfurt remains sixth.
Union in Munich, Frankfurt against Bochum
The Berliners are heading to Munich on the next matchday (November 2nd, 3:30 p.m.). At the same time, Frankfurt welcomes the team from Bochum.
