Union efficient as Frankfurt falter in Berlin

Off the back of two disappointing 3-0 defeats in Europe respectively, Union Berlin and Frankfurt clashed in the German capital today. Form hasn’t been kind to either side of late. However, ‘Die Adler’ boast a strong record against Union with four wins, a draw, and two defeats. Both managers rang in the changes after the midweek exploits, Urs Fischer opted to rotate in Baumgartl, Giesselmann, Seguin, Haberer, and Jordan.

Frankfurt took to the game better that their hosts early on. Kolo Muani with the pick of the chances in the 15th minute narrowly heading wide from a Lenz set-piece. Glasner’s side seemed set on overwhelming the right flank on attack with Götze and Buta frequently in tandem.

Daichi Kamada ought to have scored with ten minutes to play before the interval. A kind bounce fell the way of the Japanese international, but Ronnow closed the angle to make a fine save which kept it scoreless. At the other end, a Paul Seguin strike kept Trapp on his toes. Aside from that Urs Fischer was visibly upset with the lack of Union output.

If Union were second best in the first-half it would be a different story after the restart. Skipper, Rani Khedira stabbed the ball home for 1-0 after controlling a Juranovic corner in unbeknownst fashion. His World Cup winning brother, Sami Khedira, full of joy in the Alte Foersterei stands.Although Sheraldo Becker had the ball in the net at one stage, the Surinamese striker would be ruled offside.

Nevertheless, Kevin Behrens would make it 2-0 on 75 minutes. Some industrious work which involved beating Tuta in the air, and flicking beyond Smolcic, allowed the German to slot beneath Trapp. That was how it would finish, as a Frankfurt failed to beat an in-form Ronnow between the Union posts. A big blow to ‘Die Adler’ hopes of returning to Champions League action next as the gap to Union grows to 8 points.

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