Frederik Rønnow’s Heroic Save Keeps Union Berlin in the Fight
On matchday 25 of the Bundesliga, both Eintracht Frankfurt and Union Berlin desperately needed a win. Eintracht Frankfurt’s recent slip to fourth place, following Mainz’s shock victory over Mönchengladbach, and Union Berlin’s teams beneath them picking up unexpected points added to the pressure. The stakes were high as the teams faced off at Deutsche Bank Park, a venue where no team has won a home match since Bayern’s 4-0 triumph over Frankfurt two weeks prior.
Recent Form and Managerial Changes
Dino Toppmöller’s Eintracht Frankfurt arrived on the back of a thrilling Europa League win in Amsterdam, a performance that contrasted sharply with their recent league form. Frankfurt had suffered two consecutive league defeats, and Toppmöller made seven changes to the starting lineup, addressing the absence of key players like Robin Koch and Ellyes Skhiri. Union Berlin, under the guidance of Steffen Baumgart, had a solid record against Frankfurt (3-3-1) and came into the match with a renewed sense of purpose after a home defeat to Holstein Kiel. Baumgart made four changes to his lineup, emphasizing the need for a fresh start.
An Early Goal and Union Berlin’s Fightback
Frankfurt took the lead in the 13th minute, capitalizing on a defensive lapse. Leopold Querfeld’s block from Rasmus Kristensen’s shot set up Michy Batshuayi, who slotted home his first goal for the club. This early breakthrough seemed to galvanize Frankfurt, but Union Berlin quickly responded. Ivan Ilić and Tim Skarke had promising chances before the half-hour mark, and Frederik Rønnow made a crucial save from a header by Farès Chaïbi, who started for the first time in 2025. Despite a few half-hearted penalty appeals, Frankfurt maintained their lead as the first half drew to a close.
Tactical Adjustments and a Leveling Goal
Both managers made tactical adjustments at the start of the second half, bringing on Mario Götze and Benedict Hollerbach, who had scored in the previous 1-1 draw between the teams. The game’s pivotal moment came when Christopher Trimmel, making his first start in a couple of months, delivered an inviting corner that was met by Querfeld’s powerful header, leveling the score. Union Berlin continued to exert pressure from set-pieces, with Hugo Larsson and Kristensen both coming close to giving Frankfurt the lead.
Union Berlin’s Comeback and VAR Controversies
Inside the last 15 minutes, Union Berlin completed their comeback when Jeong Woo-yeong fired home a precise shot from 16 meters. The South Korean then turned provider for Hollerbach, but the goal was disallowed by VAR due to a handball by András Schäfer. The match took another dramatic turn in injury time when Frankfurt was awarded a penalty after a VAR review for a handball. However, Hugo Ekitike missed the opportunity as Rønnow made a spectacular save, his third penalty save of the season.
Final Implications and Upcoming Challenges
The result saw Union Berlin climb to 13th place, a point ahead of Hoffenheim, who faced Heidenheim in the last game of the matchday. For Eintracht Frankfurt, the loss marked their third consecutive defeat, pushing them out of the top three for the first time since matchday 10. Toppmöller’s side will now turn their attention to their Europa League quarter-final against Ajax, hoping to secure their European future and rebuild their league form. Despite the setback, the resilience displayed by both teams highlighted the unpredictable and exciting nature of the Bundesliga.
