Highlights

Matchday 19

FINAL

An der Alten Försterei

SV Darmstadt 98

HollerbachBenedict Hollerbach

62'

H. Osmers

An der Alten Försterei

90'

+ 6

Full-time: Union Berlin 1-0 Darmstadt

Union Berlin take a narrow but vital victory over fellow relegation battle contenders Darmstadt thanks to Benedict Hollerbach's second-half strike.

Full-time

A big goal?

Benedict Hollerbach's strike could be about to lift Union Berlin five points clear of the bottom three.

90'

+ 2

Substitution

Mikkel Kaufmann

Kevin Behrens

90'

Five minutes of stoppage time indicated

With both sides still very much going for it, don't rule out a late twist...

90'

Speed check: The fastest player in the game after 90 minutes

Through high-end camera technology and machine learning, the speed of each player is evaluated in real time. Top speed then means, the fastest measured single frame of a player/game.

Fabian Nürnberger33.77km/h

András Schäfer32.91km/h

Benedict Hollerbach32.38km/h

89'

Justvan from distance

The Darmstadt man has a go from a good 25 metres out, but it is deflected off one of his own team-mates and runs behind.

87'

Three late changes

Union Berlin look in control and are destined for three vital points, but Darmstadt will still hope to get a late chance or two.

87'

Substitution

Matej Maglica

Fabian Holland

87'

Substitution

Tobias Kempe

Fabian Nürnberger

87'

Substitution

Rani Khedira

Robin Gosens

84'

Behrens denied

Aaronson finds Behrens on the right moments after coming on, and the striker is through on goal only to be denied by Marcel Schuhen.

83'

Two changes and two bookings

Gjasula and Schäfer have a coming together and both see yellow. US international Brenden Aaronson is one of two Union Berlin players introduced for the final few minutes.

83'

Substitution

Brenden Aaronson

Benedict Hollerbach

83'

Substitution

Janik Haberer

András Schäfer

83'

Holtmann hits wide

Darmstadt are pressing for an equaliser.

79'

Gjasula heads wide

Klaus Gjasula sends a header wide from around the edge of the six-yard box in a good chance for Darmstadt.

77'

Trimmel booked

The Union Berlin captain sees a yellow card for holding onto Gerrit Holtmann.

77'

Behrens heads wide from close range

András Schäfer clips a free-kick in from the left that Kevin Behrens meets right in front of the target in the air. He heads wide of the target, however, and his search for his first Bundesliga goal in five months goes on.

75'

Zimmermann booked

The Darmstadt substitute slides through Kevin Behrens and is shown a yellow card.

75'

Yellow card

Christoph Zimmermann

72'

Pair of changes for Darmstadt

Darmstadt have been decent today, threatening a few times - with Julian Justvan sending a dangerous ball across the penalty area just now. Holtmann and Vilhelmsson are tasked with getting them back into the encounter.

72'

Substitution

Oscar Vilhelmsson

Bartol Franjić

72'

Substitution

Gerrit Holtmann

Tim Skarke

68'

Acrobatic effort from Gosens

András Schäfer clips a ball in from the right that Robin Gosens meets with an acrobatic leap at the far post, but he can't quite get the ball on target.

Third goal of the season for Hollerbach

All of the summer signing's goals have come under new Union Berlin coach Nenad Bjelica.

67'

Hollerbach heaves forward again

The goalscorer proves a menace on the break again - charging down the right this time and cutting the ball into the box, but Darmstadt clear.

62'

Hollerbach puts Union in front!

The speedy attack strikes a potentially massive opener! András Schäfer takes the ball between the lines on a break and plays Hollerbach through on the left, who slides his shot through Marcel Schuhen's legs.

62'

Benedict Hollerbach

GOAL!

1:0

Goal probability

Goal probability determines the likelihood that the ball will land in the goal from every position on the pitch. The value is based on large amounts of data from previous years; factors such as shot angle, distance to goal and opponent pressure - as well as mathematical models.

39 %

Distance to Goal

The distance to goal is measured at the time of the shot - from the position of the ball to the center of the goal.

13.22 m

Plenty of battles

Every ball in midfield is being keenly contested - you get the feeling one goal could decide this.

56'

Behrens clips the ball in

The attacker dinks a ball into the box as Union's good spell continues, but there aren't any teammates able to meet it.

54'

Just two shots on target

Union Berlin have had most of the opportunities, but this game remains on a knife-edge.

Goal attempts

10off target

2on target

6off target

0on target

49'

Bader shot deflected behind

What a start to this second half! After Union Berlin had a couple of opportunities to take the lead, Matthias Bader has a shot for Darmstadt deflected behind the target.

48'

Two big Union chances

Christopher Trimmel fires a shot a fraction wide moments before Benedict Hollerbach races clear of the Darmstadt defence and is denied by Marcel Schuhen when one-on-one with the goalkeeper.

46'

The second half starts

Union kick off, with those three big points still at stake.

Kick-off!

Half-time: Union Berlin 0-0 Darmstadt

The big encounter in the relegation battle remains goalless at the break. Neither side can have too many complaints about the scoreline, but they have both shown ambition at times.

Half-time

45'

+ 1

Tousart effort deflected wide

Lucas Tousart takes aim from outside the box, but his shot is deflected by team-mate András Schäfer before running behind for a goal kick.

45'

Five minutes of stoppage time indicated

Will we see a breakthrough before the interval?

42'

Union most likely to score so far

xGoals

The xGoals value of a club is calculated from the sum of all goal probabilities (goals and shots on goal) of that team. During a match, it’s easy to see whether the club is performing better than expected (goals > xGoals) - or maybe even higher (xGoals > goals).

The hosts have gained an upper hand and should be in front by now - according to xG - but Darmstadt have also posed a threat.

xGoals

0.95

0.4

Goals

39'

Justvan heads wide

After a spell of Union pressure, Darmstadt launch a brilliant break, which sees Tim Skarke float the ball over to Julian Justvan. The new loan signing from Hoffenheim flies at it with a diving header and sends it just wide.

35'

Behrens goes off-target

Gosens clips a delightful ball over the defence for Kevin Behrens, who takes it down well but scuffs his shot and sends it wide.

34'

Tousart heads over

He is yet to score for Union Berlin, and Lucas Tousart sends a powerful header in from a corner, but it zips over.

33'

Defences on top

Both sides are moving back en masse when their opponents launch an attack, with neither side in any mood to gift anything to a relegation rival.

30'

Speed check: The fastest player in the game after 30 minutes

Through high-end camera technology and machine learning, the speed of each player is evaluated in real time. Top speed then means, the fastest measured single frame of a player/game.

Fabian Nürnberger33.77km/h

András Schäfer32.91km/h

Kevin Behrens31.47km/h

26'

Chance for Bader

Tim Skarke threaded the ball through to Matthias Bader, whose shot goes off-target.

25'

Gosens heads wide

Christopher Trimmel lofts a free-kick in from the right that Robin Gosens heads wide.

Battle for control

Chances have not been easy to come by in the first half of the opening 45. While Union Berlin have found their way through the opposing defence more frequently, Darmstadt have seen more of the ball.

18'

Hollerbach to Behrens

Benedict Hollerbach slipped the ball through to Kevin Behrens, and the centre-forward tries to slide a shot on target but sends it wide.

17'

Back in action

The game restarts.

16'

Short interruption

Play is delayed for a minute or two due to a fan protest.

14'

Early substitution

Clemens Riedel limps away from the pitch after contesting the ball from the Trimmel set piece, and has to be replaced by Christoph Zimmermann.

14'

Substitution

Christoph Zimmermann

Clemens Riedel

12'

Trimmel floats free-kick in

The Union Berlin captain lofts a free-kick into the box from the left, but the hosts are penalised for a foul.

10'

Darmstadt dominate early possession

Union Berlin have arguably had the better moments, but both sides are certainly showing attacking ambition.

Possession (%)

3862

Darmstadt threaten

Tim Skarke has a shot from a tight angle that is blocked and turned behind. The left winger smashes another drive after the resulting corner is cleared, but that is also stopped by a defender.

Determined start from the hosts

Union Berlin have shown great purpose with a few early attacks. Benedict Hollerbach chases through on the left and cuts the ball back to András Schäfer, who can't quite threaten from inside the box after being closed down well.

Off we go!

The relegation six-pointer kicks off.

Kick-off!

"Never again is now!"

Under this slogan, German professional football is commemorating the victims of National Socialism on and around 27 January, the date of liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp. This is the 20th year in which the DFL and the Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 clubs have been involved in the “day of commemoration in German football” in cooperation with the “!Nie Wieder” (“!Never Again”) initiative. In light of current events, the day of commemoration around Matchdays 19 and 20 (26–28 January and 2–4 February) will focus on the topic of antisemitism.

Union fans in fine voice

The sun is shining in the German capital, and the home fans must be confident with their side unbeaten in three home Bundesliga matches.

0:17

View of the Darmstadt dressing room

The visitors' confidence should be boosted by coming back from two goals down to clinch a draw against Frankfurt in last weekend's derby.

Potentially pivotal

Just three points separate Union Berlin in 15th and Darmstadt, who are bottom of the table on 11 points. A win for either side would give their survival hopes a significant boost.

New deal for Rønnow

Frederik Rønnow will keep goal today after an extension to his contract at Union Berlin was announced this morning.

More on that Union Berlin team

There are two changes for Union compared to the side that started the rearranged tie in Munich on Wednesday. Kevin Behrens (pictured) starts in attack instead of Kevin Volland, while Andras Schäfer makes his second start of the season in midfield, replacing Janik Haberer.

More on that Darmstadt team

Torsten Lieberknecht makes one change to the side that started the battling 2-2 draw against Frankfurt - with Klaus Gjasula (pictured) replacing Matej Maglica in defence. Key attacker Marvin Mehlem is back on the bench after recovering from injury.

Union Berlin starting XI

Rønnow - Knoche, Vogt, Leite - Král - Trimmel (c), Schäfer, Tousart, Gosens - Behrens, Hollerbach

Union Berlin subs

Busk, Jaeckel, Doekhi, Aaronson, Khedira, Haberer, Laidouni, Kaufmann, Bedia

Darmstadt starting XI

Schuhen - Riedel, Gjasula, Klarer - Bader, Holland (c), Nürnberger - Justvan, Franjić, Skarke – Pfeiffer

Darmstadt subs

Brunst, Zimmermann, Maglica, J Müller, Mehlem, Kempe, A Müller, Holtmann, Vilhelmsson

“Never again is now!”

Eta's view on Darmstadt

"They have made up the deficit against Frankfurt and will start with a certain amount of euphoria. We want to be good defensively, but also play football. With a lot of depth, courage and enthusiasm."

Lieberknecht's view on Union

"Union are a physically strong team. They've recently switched between two systems, a 4-1-4-1 and then a back three in a 3-5-2. They have a good mix in their game of looking to play and then deep, long balls to their physically strong strikers. It'll be an emotional one. We'll face a big challenge above all physically."

Union on the up

Union have picked up seven points in four league games under new coach Nenad Bjelica, as many as in their first 12 matches of the 2023/24 campaign, while Darmstadt are without a win in 11 (7 defeats).

Probable line-ups

Who’s set to play this weekend? Who’s going to miss out? Keep up to date with all the latest team news right here!

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2:03

Watch: Darmstadt 1-4 Union - previous meeting

Robin Gosens scored a brace as Union recorded their only away win of the season so far, back on Matchday 2. Ahead of their midweek trip to Bayern, they rank as the division's worst travellers in 2023/24, with four points from a possible 24.

2:03

Watch: Freiburg 0-0 Union - highlights

Union held Freiburg to a goalless draw in their first game of 2024, but their Matchday 18 meeting with Mainz was called off due to dangerous wintry weather. Die Eisernen have a three-point buffer on the relegation zone, but could be further clear if they get a result in their rescheduled Matchday 13 trip to Bayern Munich on Wednesday.

2:03

Watch: Darmstadt 2-2 Frankfurt - highlights

Darmstadt came from 2-0 down to take a morale-boosting point off Eintracht Frankfurt. In doing so, the Bundesliga's bottom side closed the gap on the safe house to three points.

Hello and welcome!

Thanks for joining us for build-up and live coverage of this Matchday 19 fixture between Union Berlin and Darmstadt.