1. FC Union Berlin secured their Bundesliga status with a 1-0 victory over VfL Wolfsburg, thanks to Benedict Hollerbach’s goal in the 63rd minute. This win marks Union’s third in four matches, placing them eleven points above the relegation zone. Wolfsburg, meanwhile, is struggling, having gone three matches without scoring. Upcoming matches feature Union facing Bayer Leverkusen and Wolfsburg meeting RB Leipzig, both crucial for the teams’ season objectives.
Union Berlin Secures Bundesliga Survival with Key Victory
In a decisive match, 1. FC Union Berlin triumphed over VfL Wolfsburg with a score of 1:0, solidifying their place in the Bundesliga for another season. The match showcased Benedict Hollerbach as the hero, netting the winning goal in the 63rd minute. This victory marks Union’s third win in the last four games, pulling them eleven points clear of the relegation zone with only six matches left to play. Conversely, Wolfsburg’s hopes of securing an international spot are dwindling as they face a three-match streak without scoring or earning points, suffering three consecutive 0:1 defeats.
Rothe Comes Close to an Early Goal
Union started strong, dominating the first 20 minutes with several threatening chances but lacking the finishing touch. Janik Haberer had a promising opportunity with a direct shot from 13 meters, but his effort was too weak, allowing Kamil Grabara to comfortably deflect the ball away from danger (21).
Wolfsburg Finds Its Rhythm
As the match progressed, Wolfsburg, known for its away performance, began to assert itself more, taking control of the game. Unlike Union’s direct play, Hasenhüttl’s squad focused on intricate passing to create openings. Patrick Wimmer and Mohamed Amoura both threatened from the right flank. However, their best chances were thwarted by Union’s goalkeeper. In the 26th minute, Wimmer was one-on-one with the keeper, but Frederik Rönnow was quick to react, denying the low shot, as he did later against Amoura’s close-range attempt (36).
Controversial No-Call Leads to Union’s Goal
A significant moment of controversy occurred just before halftime. Following a corner kick, Danilho Doekhi fell after being pulled by Wimmer, but referee Harm Osmers waved off the penalty appeal, instead calling an offensive foul elsewhere on the pitch (45). This decision left many questioning the referee’s judgment, even among Union supporters. After the break, Rönnow continued to shine, saving another chance from Jakub Kaminski (52). However, as Wolfsburg relinquished more possession, Union capitalized on the opportunity. Following a header from Leopold Querfeld, Hollerbach skillfully nudged the ball past a rushing Grabara, who seemed to misread the situation, putting Union ahead 1:0 (63).
Wolfsburg Struggles to Find the Net
In pursuit of an equalizer, Wolfsburg ramped up the pressure and nearly equalized when a shot from Kilian Fischer deflected off a Union defender and narrowly missed the target (74). Unfortunately for the visitors, their attack remained ineffective, marking 290 minutes without a goal. The team’s streak of losses, including defeats to FC Augsburg and 1. FC Heidenheim, continued unabated.
With the season’s ups and downs and a coaching change from Bo Svensson to Steffen Baumgart, Union Berlin can now breathe a sigh of relief regarding relegation fears. Heidenheim would need to average two points per game in their final six matches to catch up to Union, assuming Berlin does not add any further points. Historically, Heidenheim’s average is only 0.8 points per match.
Upcoming Matches: Berlin Faces Leverkusen, Wolfsburg Meets Leipzig
Looking ahead, Wolfsburg will aim to regain their form against RB Leipzig on April 12 at 20:30, while Union Berlin will take on Bayer Leverkusen on April 13 at 15:30. Both matches are critical as teams fight for their respective goals this season.