Union Berlin and VfL Wolfsburg split with a tie. But the sporty is again taking a back seat. Again Hoffenheim patron Dietmar Hopp is insulted.
Berlin (dpa) - With insults against Dietmar Hopp, fans of the 1. FC Union overshadowed their team's point win in the relegation battle and brought another Bundesliga game to the brink of abandonment.
In the 2: 2 (1: 0) against VfL Wolfsburg, numerous supporters of the Berliners joined the angry protest against the German Football Association on Sunday and took Hoffenheim patron Hopp by poster in the crosshairs. The game was interrupted twice, just like the FC Bayern duel with TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, with the teams standing in the cabin aisle for minutes just before half-time.
"Protest yes, but if you personally insult people, it stops. We clearly said that the poster has to go down. I think it's good that we are going down that line," Union captain Christopher Trimmel told the streaming service "DAZN" after the Game and added to the result: "We played against a very, very good team, we knew it was going to be difficult."
However, the sporting aspect only came into focus again in the second half: Although Union missed their third win from the past four league games despite a 2-0 lead, they have a reassuring nine point advantage over the relegation place and were able to win the last strong Wolfsburg team at Slow down the chase on the European Cup places. Sebastian Andersson (41st minute) and Marvin Friedrich (57th) scored for Köpenicker by head. Yannick Gerhardt (60.) and Wout Weghorst (81.) also headed for the 2: 2. "I have to say honestly that we came back very well and deserved to get the point in the end," said Weghorst. "I think we were the better team."
For a long time, the dominant topic, like at other Bundesliga locations, was the showdown of fans with the DFB. First, the supporters behind the Union gate criticized the association on posters: "2017 collective penalties abolished, now courted and taken two steps back!" The game was interrupted for a few moments. After Hopp was defamed a little later, referee Bastian Dankert sent the teams from the field. "In the end it's sad, that's an old man," said Weghorst about Hopp: "It doesn't have to be that way. Football is something that brings everyone together."
Union manager Oliver Ruhnert became clearer. "This is an absolute no-go," he said during the half-time break against the hostilities against Hopp. "Personal insults or slanders are simply not acceptable. We agree on that."
The Berlin ultra group "HammerHearts 2004" immediately justified itself in a longer statement. "The double bracket (...) is not a death threat. But it is clearly provocative and criticizes a person and a constant development. Today, however, it stands above all against creeping censorship and for the freedom of expression of the curves," it said. Ruhnert expressed understanding for the first criticism of the DFB. "That you express criticism of things, factually, you also have to be willing to accept critical words." He saw "no reason" to intervene for this reason alone, he said. "Then I have to interrupt every game."
After the last four competitive games in a row, Wolfsburg confidently started the game. The guests earned a bigger share, but both teams didn't take the last risk at first. After a corner from Josip Brekalo, Union keeper Rafal Gikiewicz saved against a Weghorst header and, in extreme need, defused the VfL attacker's margin (22nd).
Union relied on its proven tactics of the first Bundesliga season in the club's history: long balls and standard situations. The high passes on push forward Andersson defended the Wolfsburg defensive solidly for a long time - but fell behind due to an individual mistake. After a free kick from Trimmel, keeper Koen Casteels ran out of his goal too fast, Andersson prevailed against Daniel Ginczek and headed without problems.
Trimmel also did the preparatory work for Friedrich's second Union goal. Shortly afterwards, Gerhardt headed the 1: 2, Christian Gentner, who was honored for his 400th Bundesliga game, did not look good. Weghorst finally brought the guests back into play.
Union squad
Union-Schedule
Wolfsburg squad
Game at bundesliga.de
Bundesliga record player at the DFB