Dhe VfB Stuttgart was not able to end its away trauma at home power 1. FC Union Berlin and continues to stagger toward relegation from the Bundesliga. Despite a convincing first half, the bottom of the Bundesliga table suffered a bitter 0:3 (0:0) defeat at the Champions League contenders from Köpenick on Saturday.
In front of 22,012 spectators in the sold-out An der Alten Försterei stadium, goalgetter Sheraldo Becker (51st minute) gave the hosts the lead with his eighth goal of the season. Kevin Behrens (65th) and an own goal by former Union pro Genki Haraguchi (68th) ensured the final score, with which the Irons consolidated their third place.
The omens were clear: strong Unioners, undefeated in the league at home this season, welcome the chronically unsuccessful Swabians away from home. VfB last won abroad on December 11, 2021 (2-0 at VfL Wolfsburg). “We can only help ourselves,” emphasized coach Bruno Labbadia again before the game. He made five changes after the 1-0 draw against Wolfsburg before the international break, including Borna Sosa, who was out due to muscular problems.
Goalkeeper Grill plays for Rönnow
Dressing up wasn’t to be expected, and there wasn’t either. Many duels, high and long balls characterized the game against the Berliners, for whom robustness and physicality are good form in the Köpenicker atmosphere temple. However, Union coach Urs Fischer also had to make short-term changes to his six changes: regular keeper Frederik Rönnow was injured, and Lennart Grill came on. He was not tested at first, the two chances that Stuttgart fought for went just wide of the goal.
In the 13th minute Juan Perea headed the ball past, in the 29th Dan-Axel Zagadou. Both times from a short distance. Once again there was a problem with the exploitation of opportunities for Stuttgart, who only managed one win in eleven league games under Labbadia. And the jubilation of the 2,500 VfB fans who had traveled with them came too early: after a goal by Perea, the video referee denied the goal again. The Stuttgart attacker put the ball past the rushed out Grill, who cleared Tiago Tomás just before the break.
A VfB lead would not have been undeserved, Union did not get enough for a contender for international places and candidates for the Champions League. Becker, still ailing during the week, made a clear move from a short distance just before the break. Janik Haberer aimed a little more precisely, but not exactly enough, shortly after the change of sides.
The preparers and goal scorers then did precision work a little later. Jérôme Roussillon crossed the ball from the left in front of the goal, Becker took it straight away and made it 1-0. And what did VfB do? Missed another chance a little later, again it was Zagadou. They didn’t want to give up. But they had to at the latest after the second goal by Behrens, which was confirmed by video decision, and the 0:3 shortly afterwards. Haraguchi, of all people, who had been celebrated for his time with the Unioners before the kick-off, slipped into a Behrens cross. With his collar up, Labbadia followed the mischief from the sidelines.
