Ian Maatsen scored the final score 2-0 shortly before the end. © ANSA / Filip Singer

Victory at Union: BVB and Terzic get some breathing room

The 24th matchday of the Bundesliga takes place this weekend. After last week's home defeat against Hoffenheim, BVB wanted to strike back at Union Berlin - and they succeeded.

March 02, 2024

From: dpa/mv

After a restless week, Borussia Dortmund and coach Edin Terzic defied the pressure and won an important victory in the race for another place in the Champions League. BVB won 2-0 (1-0) at Union Berlin on Saturday. This means that Dortmund remain in fourth place ahead of RB Leipzig, who qualify for the premier class.

Overall, a short period of pressure before half-time was enough for the runner-up to win. Otherwise, many problems have emerged over the last few weeks. In front of 22 spectators, Karim Adeyemi gave the guests the lead (012st minute). Ian Maatsen made the decision shortly before the end (41th). Despite much discussion about poor performances, the 90:2 against Hoffenheim last weekend remains Borussia's only defeat this year. Next Saturday BVB will be traveling to Bremen.

For Union it is the first home defeat under coach Nenad Bjelica, who was hired last autumn. The Berliners only got one point from two home games in a row and failed to gain a better starting position in the relegation battle. Union will play against premier class candidate VfB Stuttgart on Friday.

BVB clarified, Union too weak at the front

After the sobering performances of the previous weeks, Terzic was once again under a lot of pressure at BVB. Some media outlets were already predicting an “endgame” for him. Adeyemi was back in the starting eleven in the league for the first time since November. Marco Reus was only on the bench after providing two assists against Hoffenheim. In addition, Dortmund had to do without their most dangerous man of the last few weeks. Donyell Malen was missing due to suspension. For the same reason, Union's top scorer Robin Gosens was not on the field. Jérôme Roussillon replaced him in defense.

The game was interrupted for a few minutes in the first minute due to dense clouds of smoke coming from the BVB block. After that, the guests had more possession of the ball, but once again lost the ball carelessly when the opponent pressed. Lucas Tousart shot just past the goal to the left after a backheel assist from Kevin Volland (6th). The Berliners were clearly the more alert team. They won almost every second ball and repeatedly won the ball as Borussia built up the game. But the last play rarely found the right taker.

In this scene, Dortmund's Karim Adeyemi (right) scored 1-0 for his team. © APA/afp / TOBIAS SCHWARZ

BVB initially had little to counter the aggressiveness, but got better towards the end of the first half. After a corner, Nico Schlotterbeck failed from the best position to goalkeeper Frederik Rönnow (35th). Then the Black and Yellows freed themselves well from Berlin's pressing. The disorganized Union defense was unable to get into a duel against Adeyemi. His shot went off the bottom edge of the crossbar and into the goal (41').

After the change, the Berliners took the initiative again. After a poke in the penalty area, it took a strong reflex from BVB keeper Alexander Meyer to prevent Volland from equalizing (52'). But as in the first half, there was too often a lack of precision for dangerous shots. Shortly before the end, Meyer was there again against substitute Yorbe Vertessen (86th). After winning the ball against advanced Berliners, Maatsen ran towards the goal alone and gave Rönnow no chance (90th).

Bundesliga, 24th matchday

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