Union Berlin fight back to hold 10-man Eintracht Frankfurt in entertaining draw
Union Berlin fought back to draw 1-1 with Eintracht Frankfurt in an entertaining clash that had Mario Götze and Benedict Hollerbach on target at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei.
Union Berlin 1-1 Eintracht Frankfurt
Goals: 0-1 Götze 14', 1-1 Hollerbach 66' (assist: Skov)
Red card: Theate (76')
The visitors struck first in the 14th minute when Götze found himself in the right place at the right time. Following a corner and a scramble in the box, the 2014 World Cup winner pounced on a loose ball to slot home from close range, marking his 300th Bundesliga appearance with a goal. The early strike silenced the usually vociferous Union crowd and gave Frankfurt the upper hand. Omar Marmoush, Frankfurt's top scorer, was involved in the build-up, continuing his impressive form.
Union push for equaliser
As the first half progressed, Union began to find their footing. Yorbe Vertessen tested Kevin Trapp with a powerful shot from distance in the 29th minute, while Tom Rothe narrowly missed the target with a close-range effort. The home side's increasing pressure led to some tense moments, with Aljoscha Kemlein and Arthur Theate receiving yellow cards as tempers flared. Diogo Leite also saw yellow for Union, highlighting the intensity of the contest.
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Second-half surge
The Berliners came out firing after the break, with Christopher Trimmel rattling the post early in proceedings. The hosts' persistence finally paid off in the 66th minute when Hollerbach latched onto a pass from Robert Skov, who had just been subbed on, and chipped the ball beautifully over Trapp. The goal, initially flagged for offside, was awarded after a VAR review, sending the home fans into raptures. It was Hollerbach's second goal of the season, and his second at the Alte Försterei.
Frankfurt down to 10
The match took another dramatic turn in the 77th minute when Theate received his second yellow card, reducing Frankfurt to 10 men. Union sensed blood and pushed for a winner, with Tim Skarke soon smashing a goal past Trapp for what looked like being a dramatic added-time winner, but this time VAR took away from the hosts due to an offside in the build-up to end the game all square.
Player of the Match: Benedict Hollerbach
Hollerbach emerged as the standout performer in this encounter. His equaliser not only showcased his clinical finishing but also his ability to perform under pressure. Hollerbach's goal was a moment of individual brilliance, perfectly executed to beat the experienced Trapp. Throughout the match, he was a constant threat to Frankfurt's defence, creating chances and linking up well with his teammates. His performance was crucial in turning the tide for Union Berlin and securing a valuable point against a tough opponent. With two shots on target and a goal, Hollerbach's impact on the game was undeniable.
Bundesliga Match Facts
xGoals: Union Berlin 1.64 - Frankfurt 2.50
Fastest player: Ansgar Knauff (Frankfurt), 35.93 km/h
Lowest goal probability: 1-1 by Benedict Hollerbach (Union), 33 percent
Most pressed player: Yorbe Vertessen (Union) and Hugo Ekitiké (Frankfurt), 20 times under pressure
Pass efficiency: Robin Koch (Frankfurt), +3.27
Fantasy Heroes: Tuta (Frankfurt, 264 Points), Diogo Leite (Union, 213 Points), Robin Koch (Frankfurt, 216 Points)
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