In August 2019, 1. FC Union Berlin celebrated its first Bundesliga win against Borussia Dortmund. Matchwinner back then: Marius Bülter.
Borussia Dortmund has a permanent place in Union Berlin’s history books. Certainly one that BVB would have gladly done without, but the Union players will fondly remember August 31, 2019, when the Bundesliga newcomers from Köpenick celebrated their first Bundesliga victory – a 3:1 win over Borussia Dortmund. Do you still know?
Everything was in place for an atmospheric evening at the Alte Försterei. The newcomers, the upstarts against the title contenders. All this in front of, of course, a sell-out crowd on Saturday evening at 6:30 pm.
Two weeks earlier, 1. FC Union Berlin had conceded a 4-0 defeat to RB Leipzig before picking up their first Bundesliga point against FC Augsburg. Borussia Dortmund arrived with two wins behind them.
However, it was the promoted team that struck first. After a corner kick by Christopher Trimmel, who is still active in Köpenick, Marius Bülter was almost unmarked in the back and fired the ball into the right corner (22′). 1:0 for Union – celebrated, as usual in Köpenick, only with the cheers of the fans and without goal music.
Just three minutes later, however, the favorites struck back. Marco Reus, Jadon Sancho, Paco Alcacer – Borussia made it 1:1 in quick and uncomplicated fashion (25′). Now the game seemed to be taking its expected course after all, even if Borussia’s start was a little bumpy.
The game lurched towards the half-time break, with BVB having the advantage on the pitch. However, Union Berlin struck the next blow. In the 50th minute, it was Bülter again who exploited a defensive weakness on the part of the Black & Yellows.
Sebastian Andersson’s first attempt was blocked by the then BVB keeper Roman Bürki, but Bülter then dispatched the rebound with ease. When Andersson then scored 3:1 at the start of the final phase (75′), the Köpenickers’ first Bundesliga victory took shape.
BVB opponents Union with the best years in the club’s history The result was to stand the test of time and mark the start of the best phase in Union’s history. At the end of the season, Union finished in eleventh place, from where the Köpenickers continued to improve. Seventh place and the Conference League the following year, fifth place and the Europa League in the 2021/22 season. The crowning glory came last season, when Union Berlin finished fourth and qualified for the Champions League.
This season, however, the signs are clearly pointing to a relegation battle. BVB, on the other hand, are fighting for the Champions League. For both teams, a win in the direct duel on Saturday, March 2, 3:30 p.m., would point the way forward. Oh yes: the match-winner from back then, Marius Bülter, also plays in the Bundesliga. After two years at FC Schalke 04, he joined TSG 1899 Hoffenheim in the summer of 2023. And celebrated a 3:2 win against Borussia Dortmund last weekend. Do you know?