Niko Kovac responded to Wednesday’s 1-0 loss at Bodø/Glimt with five lineup changes. Schlotterbeck, Ryerson, Nmecha, Nwaneri and Guirassy returned to the first eleven, which came out firing on all cylinders and had clearly taken the head coach’s criticism to heart. While the Borussia players won the majority of their duels (56%), Ethan Nwaneri (1'.), Waldemar Anton (7') and Serhou Guirassy (14') also picked up early yellow cards for their aggressive challenges.
After a fiercely contested opening period of the game, the Black & Yellow displayed some fluidity in their play, applying pressure in waves, dominating possession throughout the first half (63%), and frequently pushing up the right wing through the dynamic Julian Ryerson. However, all these efforts failed to create quality scoring chances. Instead, Union knocked on the door in the final minutes of the first half. Gregor Kobel was alert on Kastriot Imeri’s wicked bouncing free kick, stifling the attempt.
In the steady rain of the German capital, BVB created its first chance in the 56th minute, but Maxi Beier's effort on a Ryerson cross went just wide. The Black & Yellow began to look better in their counter-press, and both teams now showed more drive toward the goal. While Borussia pushed for the opener, Union Berlin was content sitting back and waiting for counterattacking opportunities. Tim Skarke failed to capitalize on one such an opportunity following an errand pass by Gadou (60'). Konstantinos Karetsas, who had just come on as a substitute, injured his ankle without any contact from an opposing player, Mathis Albert coming on nto replace the Greece international (79').
Guirassy’s header on a Ryerson free kick came close to finding the net (79'), and BVB's target forward was forced too far wide following a quality pass by Nmecha (89'). In stoppage time, a cross narrowly evaded the head of Guirassy, surprising Albert and preventing the American from directing the ball on goal.
1. FC Union Berlin vs. Borussia Dortmund 0-0
Bundesliga, Matchday 6
FCU: Rönnow – Haberer (76' Trimmel), Uduokhai, Van den Bosch, Rothe – Schäfer (76' Kemlein), Khedira – Aebischer – Imeri (46' Latte Lath), Jeong (90'+3 Güther) – SkarkeBench: Raab, Köhn, Querfeld, Gray, Ljubicic