Sunday games in the Bundesliga: Götze’s anniversary goal is not enough

1. FC Union Berlin didn’t let itself be deterred by a goal from Mario Götze and remains unbeaten at home in the Bundesliga. The Köpenickers lost points in their own stadium for the first time this season in the 1-1 (0-1) draw against Eintracht Frankfurt, but still improved to fourth place in the table, which would hold the prospect of participation in the Champions League. Eintracht also remains in sixth place, just behind the top group in the Bundesliga.

In front of 22,012 spectators in the An der Alten Försterei stadium, Götze (14th minute) gave the guests the lead in his 300th Bundesliga game. It was the first goal for the 2014 World Cup final scorer since March 17th. The Berliners conceded their first goal this season before half-time. Visibly impressed by the early goal, they subsequently retreated and hardly created any significant chances to score.

However, they came out of the dressing room with significantly more momentum – suddenly only the Berliners were playing. Frankfurt stayed in their half and concentrated on defense. Benedict Hollerbach (66th) scored the deserved equalizer with a chip ball over Eintracht keeper Kevin Trapp into the right corner of the goal. The goal was examined for a long time due to a possible offside position, but it counted. Union played in the majority for around 25 minutes after Arthur Theate had to leave the field due to a yellow-red card (77th). Union couldn’t use the majority to score the winning goal. A supposed goal by Tim Skarke (90th + 1) was disallowed due to being offside.

National goalkeeper Oliver Baumann shines with parades

At the end of the eighth matchday, 1. FC Heidenheim missed out on the European Cup places on Sunday evening. Coach Frank Schmidt’s team couldn’t get past a goalless draw against TSG 1899 Hoffenheim in their own stadium. The Heidenheimers fell back to tenth place in the table.

Despite winning the point, Hoffenheim is only in 15th place thanks to numerous great saves from national goalkeeper Oliver Baumann. “There were phases for us when we would have lost this game. “It’s not easy to keep a clean sheet here,” said Baumann. The team is only three points ahead of the relegation place.

All four teams will be challenged again on Wednesday, then in the DFB Cup: Heidenheim has to go to second division club Hertha BSC. Hoffenheim welcomes 1. FC Nürnberg with coach Miroslav Klose. 1. FC Union will face third division club Arminia Bielefeld in the second round of the cup, while Frankfurt will have to face league rivals Borussia Mönchengladbach.