BERLIN (AP) — Union Berlin fans came to the derby with fire, closing the gap to Bundesliga leaders Bayer Munich 2-0 on Saturday by beating Hertha Berlin 2-0 on Saturday.
Bayern later drew 1-1 with Eintracht Frankfurt for their third straight draw. Leroy Sané shot to give Bayern the lead in a reserved first half and Randal Kolo Muani tied at 69 and the visitors continued to push further.
With this result, Bayern have failed to win in their three duels in 2023.
“There is only one formula,” admitted Bayern veteran Thomas Müller. “We have to give it our all on the field and see what we get.”
CITY CHAMPION
While Bayern is still tied, Union continues to win.
With goals in both halves from Danilho Doekhi and Paul Seguin, Union secured their fourth consecutive league victory over their old rival and left Hertha in penultimate place at halfway through the campaign. El Unión has won the last five derbies, including their clash last season in the Cup.
After the match, Hertha fired sports director Fredi Bobic.
The second half began with a spectacular fireworks display from Union supporters, who ignored the presenter’s pleas to stop. Many fans, including those carrying Union flags, were delayed at the entrance, but made up for it after the break.
After missing their first two games in 2023, Hertha have turned to the front and initially met with heavy, game-turning resistance in a midfield battle.
El Unión began to threaten near the end of the first half. It was enough to put them ahead in the 44th minute with Doekhi’s header from captain Christopher Trimmel’s free kick. It was the third goal for the Dutch defender in three games with the Union.
Seguin scored in the 67th after the smoke cleared from the supporters’ fireworks display.
“We were efficient,” said Union coach Urs Fischer. “When I look at 90 minutes, I wouldn’t mean a great team.”
AMERICANS IN ACTION
Werder Bremen beat Wolfsburg 2-1 to bounce back from two disappointing defeats.
Kevin Paredes, the 19-year-old American who joined Wolfsburg in January last year from DC United, scored for the first time in the Bundesliga.
Another American, defender John Brooks, made his Hoffenheim debut but did not prevent his new team’s 4-1 defeat by Borussia Mönchengladbach.
Freiburg moved closer to fourth place with a 3-1 home win against Augsburg in their first win of the year.
Also, Mainz enjoyed a 5-2 home win against Bochum.
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