BERLIN: Sebastien Haller topped his fresh go back from testicular most cancers with an emotional first function for Borussia Dortmund on Saturday, as Union Berlin knocked Bayern Munich off the highest of the Bundesliga with a dramatic overdue win over Mainz. Six months after a surprise prognosis which noticed him omit all the first 1/2 of the season, Haller in any case opened his account for the membership he joined closing summer time. The Ivory Coast global’s second-half header caused wild celebrations amongst his teammates and helped Dortmund to a 5-1 win over Freiburg which saved them inside two issues of leaders Union.
“I’ve been looking forward to this second since day one. After I scored the function, it felt like the entire stadium used to be on hearth,” Haller advised Sky. “I’m satisfied, however the best way remains to be lengthy, so we will be able to stay strolling and hope for extra targets,” he added. Freiburg had been decreased to ten males early within the first 1/2 after French full-back Kiliann Sildillia used to be booked two times within the house of 2 mins. Former Freiburg participant Nico Schlotterbeck then heaped extra distress onto his outdated membership, his low snapshot beating goalkeeper Mark Flekken on the close to publish to provide Dortmund the lead.
Schlotterbeck and Niklas Suele passed Freiburg a lifeline with some farcical protecting at the stroke of half-time, permitting Lucas Hoeler to comb in an sudden equaliser. But Karim Adeyemi wriggled his means in the course of the Freiburg field to revive the lead with a neat end early in the second one 1/2, earlier than targets from Haller, Julian Brandt and Giovanni Reyna finished the rout. In the meantime within the capital, Union Berlin had been operating on their very own fairytale as a overdue winner from US global Jordan Siebatcheu despatched the high-flying minnows best of the desk.
‘Ironic’
Former Union participant Marcus Ingvartsen had cancelled out Kevin Behrens’ first-half opener with a overdue penalty, however the Berliners rallied to say a fourth directly victory in 2023. The win had Union enthusiasts making a song about profitable the identify, however captain Christopher Trimmel mentioned his aspect had been retaining their ft at the flooring.
“I used to be making a song alongside, however best mockingly,” he advised Sky. “There’s nonetheless a protracted strategy to cross this season and we aren’t going to begin speaking concerning the identify.” Eintracht Frankfurt additionally remained inside 4 issues of the highest as France ahead Randal Kolo Muani scored two times in a 3-0 win over hapless Hertha Berlin. Having put Frankfurt forward from the penalty spot, Kolo Muani ghosted in the course of the Hertha again line to make it 2-0 earlier than the 30 minutes mark. Aurelio Buta added a 3rd at the stroke of complete time.
RB Leipzig’s 0-0 draw at Cologne intended that Frankfurt stay some extent adrift of the Champions League puts in 5th. Hertha have slumped to 4 directly defeats for the reason that starting of 2023, and are actually 5 issues adrift of protection after fellow strugglers Bochum cruised to a 5-2 win over Hoffenheim. Philipp Hofmann gave Bochum a deserved lead with a tap-in earlier than Philipp Foerster and Takuma Asano confirmed up a dull Hoffenheim defence to make it 3-0 via half-time.
Erhan Masovic and Moritz Broschinski added two extra for Bochum after the smash, with Christoph Baumgartner and Munas Dabbur grabbing comfort targets for the guests. Bochum’s win plunged neighbors Schalke additional into the mire, as they battled to a moment successive goalless draw away to Borussia Moenchengladbach in Saturday’s overdue recreation. Regardless of a spirited attacking show, Thomas Reis’ aspect did not take their possibilities and stay rooted to the ground of the desk. – AFP