Berlin leaders again
Baumgartl’s comeback makes Union victory perfect
09/18/2022, 5:25 p.m
Coach Urs Fischer gives 1. FC Union goosebumps even before kick-off: Timo Baumgartl is in the starting XI after suffering from testicular cancer. The fact that the fans of the Bundesliga soccer club have even more to celebrate is shown in the game against VfL Wolfsburg.
An emotional victory for the acclaimed comebacker – and still leader! Union Berlin continued his impressive run in the Bundesliga at Timo Baumgartl’s season debut after his testicular cancer. The team coached by Urs Fischer An der Alten Försterei earned a 2-0 (0-0) win against VfL Wolfsburg thanks to a strong second half.
As a result, the capital club remained unbeaten in the 14th league game in a row and as the front runner is a proud five points ahead of the struggling series champions Bayern Munich. The wolves, on the other hand, felt disillusioned after their first win of the season and the ex-Unioner Max Kruse being eliminated. Coach Niko Kovac’s team slipped to 17th place. The new dream duo of Berlin struck again: First, Sheraldo Becker prepared Jordan Siebatcheu’s opening goal (54th minute), then the 27-year-old scored the goal to make it 2-0 himself .
Fischer had surprised with a pleasing personality: Central defender Baumgartl was back in a competitive game around four months after his shock diagnosis became known – and then right away in the starting XI. “It’s just time to throw him in,” said the Swiss at DAZN, looking at the many English weeks: “We need every player there. It’s also important to see how far he is.”
Standing ovations for Baumgartl
The fans welcomed Baumgartl with warm special applause – and his teammates started furiously: After 42 seconds, Janik Haberer tested VfL keeper Koen Casteels with a direct acceptance, Union initially stayed on the trigger.
Wolfsburg cleverly slowed down the initial momentum, but rarely got structure in their offensive efforts. Union defended attentively and repeatedly set their own accents: striker Siebatcheu did not aim precisely enough with his head (28th). At the other end, Josip Brekalo missed the greatest opportunity to date with a low shot four minutes later.
Most of the time, however, the action took place between the two penalty areas, rough duels caused various game interruptions. Shortly after the break, Siebatcheu narrowly missed the lead twice (47’/49′).
At the third attempt, the time had come: strike partner Becker crossed from the left as soft as butter, Siebatcheu finished with a header. When Baumgartl finished work after a little over an hour and a solid performance, he received a standing ovation. On the pitch, VfL ran desperately. Union countered dangerously. Becker used one of these counterattacks to score his sixth goal of the season – and to make the decision.