The Union Berlin fans celebrated with the team the 2-0 win in the derby against Hertha BSC. The guest professionals had to listen to insults from their supporters.
“City champions, city champions”, shouted the fans as the victorious Union Berlin professionals celebrated their derby triumph with a lap of honor. In contrast, the supporters of Hertha BSC had a need to speak. Whistles, angry faces and intense discussions, especially with old star Kevin-Prince Boateng, documented the sporting change of power in the capital.
Pal Dardai could not avoid this unfortunate situation for him either. “Union was more dynamic and stronger”, the Hungarian had to admit after the 0: 2 (0: 2) on the Sky microphone. With his team, the coach continued, the deals were not there: “And we made unnecessary technical mistakes.”
The iron underpinned the new football pecking order impressively. As fifth in the table, Union has seven points more than the nouveau riche Hertha, which has to focus increasingly on the relegation zone in the Bundesliga. For Union striker Max Kruse, it’s also a matter of attitude: “We left our hearts on the pitch, that’s how it should be in a derby.”
Taiwo Awoniyi gave Köpenick an early lead with his eighth goal of the season (8th). This was preceded by a catastrophic mistake by the coach’s son Marton Dardai, who had hit the ball on a harmless pass. Captain Christopher Trimmel increased with a long shot to 2-0 (30th).
Union Stadium sold out at the derby for the first time since March 2020
Thanks to the 2G regulation, the stadium in the Alte Försterei was completely full again for the first time since March 1, 2020 with 20,012 spectators – despite a significantly increasing incidence in Berlin.
Unlike the last derby in front of fans two years ago, there were almost no serious riots. Only in stoppage time there were minor incidents. Around 900 emergency services secured the high-risk game.
“There are no excuses,” Dardai said before the game, “we have to play well.” But no sooner had the derby kicked off than the old lady was already behind. The Unioners earned the lead because they acted more aggressively in duels and more purposefully on the offensive.
With the 1-0 in the back, the home side turned it up even more and had chances through Kruse (22nd) and Trimmel (25th). From the Hertha fan block it rang early: “We want to see you fight!” It didn’t help, after half an hour the ball flew past friends and foe into the goal after a shot by Trimmel.
Then Hertha woke up a bit and got his first chance to score through right-back Peter Pekarik (37th). The alleged follow-up goal by Pekarik (45th + 1st) was called off because of an offside position.
Dardai reacted to the poor performance and replaced a second striker in Ishak Belfodil in the second half. As a result, the guests increased their possession, but the Unioner had better chances after counterattacks by Kruse (58th) and Genki Haraguchi (62nd).
