Young players shone as Union Berlin continued their strong performance in the Bundesliga with a 2-0 victory over struggling Holstein Kiel on Sunday.
Nineteen-year-old wing back Tom Rothe assisted 20-year-old midfielder Aljoscha Kemlein, who scored his first senior goal with a header in the 18th minute. Rothe, who was important in helping Kiel get promoted last season, secured the win by heading in Union’s second goal from a corner in the 85th minute.
This victory puts Union in fifth place in the Bundesliga, just three points behind leaders Bayern Munich. It marks Union’s first back-to-back league wins since February.
Union surprised everyone by finishing fourth in the Bundesliga last season, which allowed them to qualify for the Champions League in 2023, but their last season was disappointing. They did not win any matches in their Champions League debut and ended up in 15th place in the Bundesliga.
Kiel, now promoted, is in the relegation zone and has yet to earn a point at home this season after losing its fourth home game in a row.
In another match on Sunday, Werder Bremen came back from a 1-0 deficit to defeat Wolfsburg 4-2, moving up to eighth place.
Tiago Tomas put Wolfsburg ahead with a heel kick as the ball bounced around a crowded penalty area, but Mitchell Weiser’s volley right before halftime leveled the score for Bremen. In the second half, goals from Bremen’s Felix Agu, Marvin Ducksch, and Marco Grüll secured the victory.
Wolfsburg coach Ralph Hasenhüttl will be without attacking midfielder Patrick Wimmer, who received a red card for a reckless tackle on Grüll.
Wolfsburg is currently in 13th place and has scored the first goal in each of its last four Bundesliga matches but has won only one of those games. They also have just one point from their four home matches.
