Union Berlin 1-0 Elversberg: Burcu's late strike secures first win of the season
Substitute Livan Burcu scored the only goal as Union Berlin beat Elversberg 1-0 to claim their first Bundesliga win of the season.
- Livan Burcu scores the winner in the 81st minute shortly after coming on
- Union Berlin's first league win of the season after four games without a victory
- Elversberg stay on 7 points, eighth in the table
Union Berlin 1-0 Elversberg
Scorer: Livan Burcu 81'
Kick-off: 14:30 UK time / 15:30 CEST, Stadion An der Alten Försterei, Berlin
The match
A quiet first half saw two yellow cards shown to Union Berlin players. Janik Haberer was booked in the 7th minute, followed by Tim Skarke at the 21st.
The second half brought a flurry of substitutions from both sides. Union Berlin brought on Livan Burcu for Kastriot Imeri in the 59th minute, while Elversberg responded with Maurice Krattenmacher replacing Tom Zimmerschied. Elversberg made further changes in the 70th and 71st minutes, introducing Cole Campbell, Nicholas Mickelson and David Mokwa.
Union Berlin also refreshed their attack with two more substitutions in the 77th and 78th minutes, sending on Christopher Trimmel, Oliver Burke and Mekhi Gray in place of Michel Aebischer, Tim Skarke and Woo-yeong Jeong.
The decisive moment came in the 81st minute. Livan Burcu, who had entered early in the second half, found the net to put the hosts 1-0 up.
Late changes followed for both teams: Elversberg brought on Frederik Schmahl for Luca Sirch in the 87th minute, while Union Berlin made their final switch in stoppage time, with Aljoscha Kemlein replacing András Schäfer in the 90+2nd minute. Maurice Krattenmacher was booked for Elversberg in the same minute.
The numbers
Union Berlin dominated the shot count, firing 19 attempts to Elversberg's 7, with 7 shots on target against the visitors' 2. The hosts also edged the corner count, 7 to 3.
Elversberg had more of the ball, finishing with 57% possession to Union Berlin's 43%. The hosts committed more fouls, 14 to 9, and picked up two bookings compared to one for Elversberg.
Table and next fixtures
The win, their first of the season, lifts Union Berlin to 1 point from four games, though they remain 17th in the Bundesliga table. Elversberg stay on 7 points in eighth place after four matches.
Borussia Dortmund lead the way with 13 points from five games, ahead of Bayern Munich and SC Freiburg, both on 10 points after four matches. Werder Bremen sit fourth with 8 points.
Both sides are back in action on Saturday, 17 October. Union Berlin host league leaders Borussia Dortmund, while Elversberg welcome FC Augsburg.