Berlin (AFP)
Union Berlin defeated Leverkusen 1-0 on Friday night in the early match of Matchday 16 of the Bundesliga, and continue to surprise Germany by still clinging to the leading pack.
The small club from the capital, which has only one defeat in its last 15 league games, has 28 points and temporarily climbs to fourth position, five lengths behind the leader Munich who plays Sunday against Freiburg (3:30 p.m.).
Leipzig (31 pts) is second.
Leverkusen provisionally remains third with 29 pts, but now under threat from Dortmund (28 pts), which receives Mainz on Saturday (3.30 p.m.).
As we seemed to be heading for a 0-0 draw, the Union on its lawn snatched the victory in the 88th minute.
Well launched against, Cedric Teuchert took the speed defense to go to duel goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky.
Club of East Berlin, the only one of the former Communist GDR in the first division, the Union is famous for its incredible audience and could have suffered behind closed doors.
On the contrary, it has achieved its best season since joining the Bundesliga in 2019, with notably remarkable performances against the big cars: 1-1 against Bayern, and 2-1 victory against Borussia Dortmund.
It has been maintained since the start of the season in European places, and flirts with the square head, qualifying for the Champions League.
His last loss in the Bundesliga dates back to December 4 in the derby against Hertha (3-1).
Conversely, Bayer Leverkusen, author of a thunderous start to the season which even allowed them to briefly take the lead in December, has stalled since their loss at the end of December 2-1 against Bayern.
This setback is his fourth consecutive Bundesliga game without a win (2 draws, 2 losses).
A victory in Berlin would, however, have allowed the Rhenish to return to a point behind Bayern.
© 2021 AFP