Haberer double helps leaders Union down Dortmund

Union Berlin 2-0 Borussia Dortmund
Goals: 1-0 Haberer 8', 2-0 Haberer 21' (assist: Jordan)

The hosts took to their Stadion An der Alten Försterei fortress intent on producing the victory that would see The Irons remain at the Bundesliga summit for at least another week. The last time Union had been beaten at home in the top flight, it was Dortmund who inflicted the pain in February 2022. Much has changed in these surroundings since then, however, as Edin Terzic's visitors soon found out. Amid a rocking atmosphere, Borussia goalkeeper Gregor Kobel - making his Bundesliga return following a spell on the sidelines - spilled an early Andras Schäfer effort. BVB's shot stopper escaped that scare, but the nightmare that followed would weigh on the visitors for large parts of the first half. Looking to quickly deliver a playable back-pass, Kobel slipped just before making contact with the ball. The error allowed Haberer to nip in and score. It got even better for Urs Fischer's high flyers when the hosts pounced to change the direction of play and work a pass in for Jordan. His back to goal, the USMNT international teed up Haberer for a fine long-range drive into the corner that this time left Kobel blameless.

Dortmund produced a stirring comeback from 2-0 down to rescue a point against Bayern Munich on Matchday 9 and a triple attacking substitution at the break meant Die Schwarzgelben were now desperate to at least repeat that feat. Among the visiting changes was the reappearance of talisman Marco Reus, returning from an ankle ligament injury that had kept the attacker sidelined since 17 September. The substitutions produced a switch in momentum, but Union remained a threat on the counter attack. Timo Baumgartl's header to the corner was pushed out by Kobel while Sheraldo Becker's menacing presence kept the Dortmund defenders constantly on their toes. When the Black-and-Yellows finally began to tick at the other end, Frederik Rönnow denied Jude Bellingham, Reus and Youssoufa Moukoko in quick succession, the fans in red and white behind the goal roaring their approval with every save. The loudest cheers among the home contingent were reserved for the final whistle, however, as Union's Bundesliga leading brigade marched on.

• Haberer netted his first Bundesliga double and equalled his best-ever goals tally (3) for a single season.
• Union have not lost after taking the lead in a game in their last 43 Bundesliga outings.
• Jordan and Becker now boast three assists apiece.
• Union have never had 23 points on the board after nine matches in the Bundesliga or Bundesliga 2.
• Die Eisernen are unbeaten in their last 11 home Bundesliga fixtures (W8, D3), dating back to a 3-0 loss to Dortmund on 13 February 2022.
• Dortmund have lost four times after 10 matches, and are seven points adrift of the leaders.

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Union: Ronnow - Baumgartl, Knoche, Leite - Trimmel (c), Schäfer (Pantovic 87'), Khedira, Haberer (Thorsby 62'), Ryerson - Becker (Leweling 87'), Jordan (Behrens 67')
Unused subs: Grill, Doekhi, Michel, Seguin, Gießelmann
Out: Haraguchi (unconfirmed), Jaeckel (unconfirmed), Möhwald (fitness)
Coach: Urs Fischer

Dortmund: Kobel - Süle (Hazard 70'), Hummels (c), Schlotterbeck - Meunier (Malen 46'), Can (Reyna 82'), Özcan (Reus 46'), Bellingham, Guerreiro - Adeyemi (Brandt 46'), Moukoko
Unused subs: Meyer, Passlack, Rothe, Papadopoulos
Out: Bynoe-Gittens (shoulder), Dahoud (shoulder), Haller (testicular cancer), Modeste (ill), Morey (knee), Wolf (ill)
Coach: Edin Terzic

Watch: Sheraldo Becker - 'We're not a top-three club'