Union Berlin go into Union Berlin vs Borussia Dortmund with a little more breathing room after their maiden win, but Borussia Dortmund still arrive as the stronger side on form and points. Union had their worst-ever start to a top-flight season, taking just one point from their first four league games, and they had already conceded 17 goals before that first league victory eased the mood around the club.
Union's small lift
Mauro Lustrinelli said Union's start had been their worst ever in the top flight, and that late effort from Livan Burcu was enough to give the team their maiden win. The result matters because Union were 16th with four points from five matches before this weekend's game, and the attack has not carried them far enough yet, with only five league goals scored.
Union have also scored all five of those goals at Stadion An der Alten Försterei this term. That kind of split leaves them needing a sharper away presence if they are going to make trouble for a side like Dortmund, and a single win does not wipe away the numbers around their start.
Dortmund's title pressure
Dortmund's first five league games have brought four wins and one draw, which keeps them level on 13 points with Bundesliga leaders Freiburg and two points clear of Bayern Munich in third. Niko Kovac's side were held 2-2 by Werder Bremen at Signal Iduna Park last time out, but they still go to Berlin unbeaten in the league and with only four goals conceded.
That defensive record is the clearest reason this looks like a tough test for Union. Dortmund have 11 league goals of their own, and with a second-place spot on the line in practical terms, they can not afford another slip if they want to stay in the title chase. The match in Berlin is the sort of fixture they are expected to control, while Union are still trying to prove their lift is more than a brief one.
Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 1 outlet. How we work →
