Union Berlin beats Stuttgart 3-0, stays 3rd in Bundesliga
Berlin's Kevin Behrens, second from right, celebrates with teammates after scoring his side's second goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Union Berlin and Stuttgart, at the Alte Forsterei Stadium, in Berlin, Saturday, April 1, 2023. Credit: AP/Andreas Gora
BERLIN — Stuttgart midfielder Genki Haraguchi scored an own-goal in his first return to Union Berlin as his former team won 3-0 and consolidated third place in the Bundesliga on Saturday.
Sheraldo Becker scored in the 51st minute to get Union off the mark, then Kevin Behrens struck from close range in the 67th, a minute before Haraguchi deflected Behrens’ cross into his own net.
It lifted Union a point behind second-place Bayern Munich before the 10-time defending champion’s game at home later against league leader Borussia Dortmund. Bayern was a point behind Dortmund before “der Klassiker” and Thomas Tuchel was to make his debut as Bayern coach against his ex-club.
Also Saturday, Jeremie Frimpong, Florian Wirtz and Sardar Azmoun scored in the second half for Bayer Leverkusen to ease to a 3-0 win at Schalke. Schalke stayed a point above last-place Stuttgart.
Jessic Ngankam scored in the 77th for Hertha Berlin to salvage a draw 1-1 at Freiburg for a morale-boosting point in its battle against relegation. Hertha moved a point above Schalke.
Wolfsburg captain Maximilian Arnold scored an own-goal and missed a penalty but his team fought from two goals down to draw 2-2 at home with Augsburg. Germany midfielder Felix Nmecha scored the equalizer in injury time.
On Rouven Schröder’s first day as Leipzig sporting director, the team slumped to a 3-0 at home to Mainz to consolidate its downward turn. Leipzig has now also lost both games since its 7-0 defeat at Manchester City in the Champions League.
From left, Berlin's Morten Thorsby, Christopher Trimmel and Rani Khedira cheer in front of the fans after VfB Stuttgart's Genki Haraguchi scored an own goal, during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Union Berlin and Stuttgart, at the Alte Forsterei Stadium, in Berlin, Saturday, April 1, 2023. Credit: AP/Andreas Gora
