Post-Match Report

Emre Can: “That was real men’s football”

“We have been criticised a lot in recent weeks, and rightly so, but today I am incredibly proud of the lads for how we responded here,” said captain Emre Can after Borussia Dortmund’s away win at 1. FC Union Berlin. Here is the initial reaction to the match.

“It’s never easy to play here, you have to hold your nerve, ” Can explained in an interview with Sky: “And that’s what we did for 90 minutes. Huge compliments to the team. Real men’s football – not always pretty, but the points count, and the fight paid off. The points haul in the Bundesliga is fine. In the Champions League, I’d say we could do even better. We have a very, very important game on Wednesday, but in the Bundesliga we’re right on target.” (br)
More reactions from Berlin will follow over the course of the evening.

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Here are their reactions to the match.<\/b><\/p>\n","xdm:linkURL":"https://www.bvb.de/de/en/news/news-overview/news.html/2026/1/25/Julian-Ryerson-We-did-well-today.html","@type":"/apps/bvbweb/components/newssliderelements/editable","dc:title":"Julian Ryerson: \u201cWe did well today\u201d","repo:modifyDate":"2026-01-24T21:36:00Z"}},"displayTag":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"displayTag","title":"Display Department","multiValue":true,"value":[""],"exportedType":"text/plain"},"metadescription":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"metadescription","title":"Meta Description","multiValue":false,"exportedType":"text/plain"},"linkTarget":"_self","link":"https://www.bvb.de/de/en/news/news-overview/news.html/2026/1/25/Julian-Ryerson-We-did-well-today.html","stageImages":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"stageImages","title":"Image (Stage Image)","multiValue":true,"value":["/content/dam/bvbweb/en/news/2026/01/24/bl-reaktionen/81M-Ryerson.jpg"],"exportedType":"text/plain"},"experience":{"multiLine":true,"dataType":"string","name":"experience","title":"Experience Fragment","multiValue":false,"exportedType":"text/plain"},"appExport":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"boolean","name":"appExport","title":"App Export (Clubplatform)","multiValue":false,"value":true,"exportedType":"boolean"},"showDate":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"calendar","name":"showDate","title":"Show Date and Time (CET)","multiValue":false,"value":"24.01.26 21:36 Z","exportedType":"calendar"},"teaserText":{"multiLine":true,"dataType":"string","name":"teaserText","html":"Lars Ricken, Julian Ryerson, Nico Schlotterbeck, Gregor Kobel and Emre Can discussed the 3-0 win away to 1. FC Union Berlin. Here are their reactions to the match.<\/b><\/p>\n","title":"Teaser Text","multiValue":false,"value":"Lars Ricken, Julian Ryerson, Nico Schlotterbeck, Gregor Kobel and Emre Can discussed the 3-0 win away to 1. FC Union Berlin. Here are their reactions to the match.","exportedType":"text/html"},"scheduledPush":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"boolean","name":"scheduledPush","title":"Scheduled Push Notification?","multiValue":false,"value":false,"exportedType":"boolean"},"disableAdsOnNewsPage":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"boolean","name":"disableAdsOnNewsPage","title":"Disable Ads on News Page","multiValue":false,"value":false,"exportedType":"boolean"},"text":{"multiLine":true,"dataType":"string","name":"text","html":"Lars Ricken<\/b>, in the mixed zone: \u201cI think it\u2019s really outstanding that we won the game. It\u2019s not a given that you\u2019ll win here. The lads threw themselves into the challenges with knives between their teeth. Berlin isn\u2019t a circus where you win with tricks; it\u2019s man against man. Who wins the duels? And we won the decisive ones. We\u2019re in second place, we have 16 points more than a year ago, and we don\u2019t want to give that place up.\u201d<\/p>\nJulian Ryerson<\/b> (in the mixed zone): \u201cThe second half in London was a bit of a reaction and not too bad with ten against eleven \u2013 we don\u2019t need to talk about the first half. We did well today. But there\u2019s always room for improvement.\u201d<\/p>\n<img src=\"/content/dam/bvbweb/en/news/2026/01/24/bl-reaktionen/81-Schlotterbeck.jpg\" data-assetref=\"81-Schlotterbeck-1769291622049\"><\/p>\nNico Schlotterbeck<\/b> (in the mixed zone): \u201cJulian (Ryserson, ed.) played the ball perfectly. I just had to tap it in. I\u2019m extremely happy with the goal, but above all with the fact that we kept another clean sheet, our tenth. Union away is one of the toughest games in the league. We mastered it brilliantly and won 3-0. We\u2019re a bit more stable in the league than in the Champions League. We played extremely poorly in the first half at Tottenham, we just couldn\u2019t get it right. Today we knew what to expect. We took up the fight. That was the reaction we wanted to see. What we saw today was mature football.\u201d<\/p>\nGregor Kobel<\/b> (in the mixed zone): \u201cWe have a very good defence. I have to do my job at the back, my teammates in front of me have to do a good job. I think we have very good teamwork from everyone. And it\u2019s something to be proud of that we\u2019ve already kept ten clean sheets. That\u2019s a great thing. But of course we want to build on that.\u201d<\/p>\n<img src=\"/content/dam/bvbweb/en/news/2026/01/24/bl-reaktionen/81-Can.jpg\" data-assetref=\"81-Can-1769291638575\"><\/p>\nEmre Can<\/b> (on Sky): \u201cWe\u2019ve been criticised a lot in recent weeks, and rightly so, but today I\u2019m incredibly proud of the lads. It\u2019s never easy to play here, you have to fight to get something out of it. And that\u2019s what we did for 90 minutes. Huge compliments to the team. Real men\u2019s football \u2013 not always pretty, but the points count, and the fight paid off. The points haul in the Bundesliga is okay. In the Champions League, I\u2019d say we could do even better. We have a very, very important game on Wednesday, but in the Bundesliga we\u2019re right on target.\u201d \nTranscribed by Boris Rupert<\/i><\/p>\n","title":"Text","multiValue":false,"value":"Lars Ricken<\/b>, in the mixed zone: \u201cI think it\u2019s really outstanding that we won the game. It\u2019s not a given that you\u2019ll win here. The lads threw themselves into the challenges with knives between their teeth. Berlin isn\u2019t a circus where you win with tricks; it\u2019s man against man. Who wins the duels? And we won the decisive ones. We\u2019re in second place, we have 16 points more than a year ago, and we don\u2019t want to give that place up.\u201d<\/p>\nJulian Ryerson<\/b> (in the mixed zone): \u201cThe second half in London was a bit of a reaction and not too bad with ten against eleven \u2013 we don\u2019t need to talk about the first half. We did well today. But there\u2019s always room for improvement.\u201d<\/p>\n<img src=\"/content/dam/bvbweb/en/news/2026/01/24/bl-reaktionen/81-Schlotterbeck.jpg\" data-assetref=\"81-Schlotterbeck-1769291622049\"><\/p>\nNico Schlotterbeck<\/b> (in the mixed zone): \u201cJulian (Ryserson, ed.) played the ball perfectly. I just had to tap it in. I\u2019m extremely happy with the goal, but above all with the fact that we kept another clean sheet, our tenth. Union away is one of the toughest games in the league. We mastered it brilliantly and won 3-0. We\u2019re a bit more stable in the league than in the Champions League. We played extremely poorly in the first half at Tottenham, we just couldn\u2019t get it right. Today we knew what to expect. We took up the fight. That was the reaction we wanted to see. What we saw today was mature football.\u201d<\/p>\nGregor Kobel<\/b> (in the mixed zone): \u201cWe have a very good defence. I have to do my job at the back, my teammates in front of me have to do a good job. I think we have very good teamwork from everyone. And it\u2019s something to be proud of that we\u2019ve already kept ten clean sheets. That\u2019s a great thing. But of course we want to build on that.\u201d<\/p>\n<img src=\"/content/dam/bvbweb/en/news/2026/01/24/bl-reaktionen/81-Can.jpg\" data-assetref=\"81-Can-1769291638575\"><\/p>\nEmre Can<\/b> (on Sky): \u201cWe\u2019ve been criticised a lot in recent weeks, and rightly so, but today I\u2019m incredibly proud of the lads. It\u2019s never easy to play here, you have to fight to get something out of it. And that\u2019s what we did for 90 minutes. Huge compliments to the team. Real men\u2019s football \u2013 not always pretty, but the points count, and the fight paid off. The points haul in the Bundesliga is okay. In the Champions League, I\u2019d say we could do even better. We have a very, very important game on Wednesday, but in the Bundesliga we\u2019re right on target.\u201d \nTranscribed by Boris Rupert<\/i><\/p>\n","exportedType":"text/html"},"id":"editable-6d26a1f253","prio":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"boolean","name":"prio","title":"Prio (Clubplatform)","multiValue":false,"value":true,"exportedType":"boolean"},"headline":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"headline","title":"Headline","multiValue":false,"value":"Julian Ryerson: \u201cWe did well today\u201d","exportedType":"text/plain"},"author":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"author","title":"Author","multiValue":false,"exportedType":"text/plain"},"teaserType":"relatedContent","match":{"multiLine":true,"dataType":"content-fragment","name":"match","html":"/content/dam/bvbweb/en/matches/football/profis/2025_2026/22/2569213_19_1_fc_unionberlin-borussiadortmund<\/p>","title":"Related Match","multiValue":false,"value":"/content/dam/bvbweb/en/matches/football/profis/2025_2026/22/2569213_19_1_fc_unionberlin-borussiadortmund","exportedType":"text/plain"},"externalId":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"externalId","title":"External ID (Clubplatform)","multiValue":false,"value":"-2066133851","exportedType":"text/plain"},"displayOnHome":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"boolean","name":"displayOnHome","title":"Display in news wall on homepage","multiValue":false,"value":true,"exportedType":"boolean"},"url":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"url","title":"Vanity URL (LEAVE EMPTY FOR AUTOMATIC VANITY URL. 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Here is the initial reaction to the match.<\/p>\n","xdm:linkURL":"https://www.bvb.de/de/en/news/news-overview/news.html/2026/1/24/Emre-Can-That-was-real-mens-football.html","@type":"/apps/bvbweb/components/newssliderelements/editable","dc:title":"Emre Can: \u201cThat was real men\u2019s football\u201d","repo:modifyDate":"2026-01-24T20:00:41Z"}},"displayTag":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"displayTag","title":"Display Department","multiValue":true,"value":[""],"exportedType":"text/plain"},"metadescription":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"metadescription","title":"Meta Description","multiValue":false,"exportedType":"text/plain"},"linkTarget":"_self","link":"https://www.bvb.de/de/en/news/news-overview/news.html/2026/1/24/Emre-Can-That-was-real-mens-football.html","stageImages":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"stageImages","title":"Image (Stage Image)","multiValue":true,"value":["/content/dam/bvbweb/en/news/2026/01/24/bl-1--stimme/BR-M-Stimmen-BL.jpg"],"exportedType":"text/plain"},"experience":{"multiLine":true,"dataType":"string","name":"experience","title":"Experience Fragment","multiValue":false,"exportedType":"text/plain"},"appExport":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"boolean","name":"appExport","title":"App Export (Clubplatform)","multiValue":false,"value":true,"exportedType":"boolean"},"showDate":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"calendar","name":"showDate","title":"Show Date and Time (CET)","multiValue":false,"value":"24.01.26 20:00 Z","exportedType":"calendar"},"teaserText":{"multiLine":true,"dataType":"string","name":"teaserText","html":"\u201cWe have been criticised a lot in recent weeks, and rightly so, but today I am incredibly proud of the lads for how we responded here,\u201d said captain Emre Can after Borussia Dortmund\u2019s away win at 1. FC Union Berlin. Here is the initial reaction to the match.<\/p>\n","title":"Teaser Text","multiValue":false,"value":"\u201cWe have been criticised a lot in recent weeks, and rightly so, but today I am incredibly proud of the lads for how we responded here,\u201d said captain Emre Can after Borussia Dortmund\u2019s away win at 1. FC Union Berlin. Here is the initial reaction to the match.","exportedType":"text/html"},"scheduledPush":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"boolean","name":"scheduledPush","title":"Scheduled Push Notification?","multiValue":false,"value":false,"exportedType":"boolean"},"disableAdsOnNewsPage":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"boolean","name":"disableAdsOnNewsPage","title":"Disable Ads on News Page","multiValue":false,"value":false,"exportedType":"boolean"},"text":{"multiLine":true,"dataType":"string","name":"text","html":"\u201cIt\u2019s never easy to play here, you have to hold your nerve, \u201d Can explained in an interview with Sky: \u201cAnd that\u2019s what we did for 90 minutes. Huge compliments to the team. Real men\u2019s football \u2013 not always pretty, but the points count, and the fight paid off. The points haul in the Bundesliga is fine. In the Champions League, I\u2019d say we could do even better. We have a very, very important game on Wednesday, but in the Bundesliga we\u2019re right on target.\u201d (br) \n<\/i>More reactions from Berlin will follow over the course of the evening. <\/b><\/p>\n","title":"Text","multiValue":false,"value":"\u201cIt\u2019s never easy to play here, you have to hold your nerve, \u201d Can explained in an interview with Sky: \u201cAnd that\u2019s what we did for 90 minutes. Huge compliments to the team. Real men\u2019s football \u2013 not always pretty, but the points count, and the fight paid off. The points haul in the Bundesliga is fine. In the Champions League, I\u2019d say we could do even better. We have a very, very important game on Wednesday, but in the Bundesliga we\u2019re right on target.\u201d (br) \n<\/i>More reactions from Berlin will follow over the course of the evening. <\/b><\/p>\n","exportedType":"text/html"},"id":"editable-b14cd9ee33","prio":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"boolean","name":"prio","title":"Prio (Clubplatform)","multiValue":false,"value":true,"exportedType":"boolean"},"headline":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"headline","title":"Headline","multiValue":false,"value":"Emre Can: \u201cThat was real men\u2019s football\u201d","exportedType":"text/plain"},"author":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"author","title":"Author","multiValue":false,"exportedType":"text/plain"},"teaserType":"relatedContent","match":{"multiLine":true,"dataType":"content-fragment","name":"match","html":"/content/dam/bvbweb/en/matches/football/profis/2025_2026/22/2569213_19_1_fc_unionberlin-borussiadortmund<\/p>","title":"Related Match","multiValue":false,"value":"/content/dam/bvbweb/en/matches/football/profis/2025_2026/22/2569213_19_1_fc_unionberlin-borussiadortmund","exportedType":"text/plain"},"externalId":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"externalId","title":"External ID (Clubplatform)","multiValue":false,"value":"-814774422","exportedType":"text/plain"},"displayOnHome":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"boolean","name":"displayOnHome","title":"Display in news wall on homepage","multiValue":false,"value":true,"exportedType":"boolean"},"url":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"url","title":"Vanity URL (LEAVE EMPTY FOR AUTOMATIC VANITY URL. 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Maximilian Beier then put the cherry on top with six minutes to go.<\/p>\n","xdm:linkURL":"https://www.bvb.de/de/en/news/news-overview/news.html/2026/1/24/Borussia-embrace-the-fight-to-win-3-0-in-Berlin.html","@type":"/apps/bvbweb/components/newssliderelements/editable","dc:title":"Borussia embrace the fight to win 3-0 in Berlin","repo:modifyDate":"2026-01-24T19:30:00Z"}},"displayTag":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"displayTag","title":"Display Department","multiValue":true,"value":[""],"exportedType":"text/plain"},"metadescription":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"metadescription","title":"Meta Description","multiValue":false,"exportedType":"text/plain"},"linkTarget":"_self","link":"https://www.bvb.de/de/en/news/news-overview/news.html/2026/1/24/Borussia-embrace-the-fight-to-win-3-0-in-Berlin.html","stageImages":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"stageImages","title":"Image (Stage Image)","multiValue":true,"value":["/content/dam/bvbweb/en/news/2026/01/24/bl-spielbericht/83M-Union.jpg"],"exportedType":"text/plain"},"experience":{"multiLine":true,"dataType":"string","name":"experience","title":"Experience Fragment","multiValue":false,"exportedType":"text/plain"},"appExport":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"boolean","name":"appExport","title":"App Export (Clubplatform)","multiValue":false,"value":true,"exportedType":"boolean"},"showDate":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"calendar","name":"showDate","title":"Show Date and Time (CET)","multiValue":false,"value":"24.01.26 19:30 Z","exportedType":"calendar"},"teaserText":{"multiLine":true,"dataType":"string","name":"teaserText","html":"Borussia Dortmund remain on track for success in the league. On Matchday 19 of the Bundesliga, BVB celebrated their third win in a row with a 3-0 (1-0) victory at 1. FC Union Berlin. Emre Can put BVB ahead from the penalty spot in the tenth minute, and Nico Schlotterbeck added the second with a header (54). Maximilian Beier then put the cherry on top with six minutes to go.<\/p>\n","title":"Teaser Text","multiValue":false,"value":"Borussia Dortmund remain on track for success in the league. On Matchday 19 of the Bundesliga, BVB celebrated their third win in a row with a 3-0 (1-0) victory at 1. FC Union Berlin. Emre Can put BVB ahead from the penalty spot in the tenth minute, and Nico Schlotterbeck added the second with a header (54). Maximilian Beier then put the cherry on top with six minutes to go.","exportedType":"text/html"},"scheduledPush":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"boolean","name":"scheduledPush","title":"Scheduled Push Notification?","multiValue":false,"value":false,"exportedType":"boolean"},"disableAdsOnNewsPage":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"boolean","name":"disableAdsOnNewsPage","title":"Disable Ads on News Page","multiValue":false,"value":false,"exportedType":"boolean"},"text":{"multiLine":true,"dataType":"string","name":"text","html":"Personnel matters: \n<\/b>There were four changes to the starting line-up compared to the previous match away to Tottenham Hotspur: Can, Ryerson, Beier, and Fabio Silva replaced Bensebaini, Adeyemi, Brandt, and Couto (who all moved to the bench). Guirassy and Fabio Silva started together in the Bundesliga for the second time (previously on Matchday 14 in Freiburg). Sabitzer and Süle were absent due to injury. \n<\/p>\nThe match: \n<\/b>From the very first second, it was the predicted battle with lots of tackles flying in, lots of long balls, especially from the Berlin club, and frequent changes in possession. Union had the first chance, \u201cnaturally\u201d from a set piece. Ilic headed a free kick from Jovanovic towards goal from close range, but Kobel was there to make the save and hold onto the ball (6). He quickly got the ball moving again, as BVB immediately launched a counter-attack. The ball came to Guirassy, who skipped past two Union defenders and rounded the onrushing keeper, who brought the Dortmund striker tumbling to the ground \u2013 penalty! Can stepped up and converted low into the left corner to make it 1-0 (10). \n<\/b><\/p>\n<img src=\"/content/dam/bvbweb/en/news/2026/01/24/bl-spielbericht/83-Union.jpg\" data-assetref=\"83-Union-1769279099275\"><\/p>\nBorussia were clearly in control at this stage and could have, perhaps should have, made it 2-0 in the 18th minute. Nmecha snatched the ball from Querfeld and slipped it to Guirassy, who was unmarked in front of Rönnow on the left side of the penalty area. However, Guirassy didn't pull the trigger, instead passing to Bellingham, whose powerful shot was blocked. Fabio Silva then sent the rebound wide of the left post.<\/p>\n<img src=\"/content/dam/bvbweb/en/news/2026/01/24/bl-spielbericht/83-Can.jpg\" data-assetref=\"83-Can-1769279107443\"><\/p>\nAfter half an hour, Union were back in the game, keeping BVB away from their own goal with high intensity and making sure the game was evenly balanced until half-time. With the temperature at three degrees below zero, Borussia Dortmund found their way back to a more precise style of play at the start of the second half. Nmecha won the ball in his own half, drove it deep into the opposition's half and passed to Fabio Silva, who was running on the left and drilled a sharp low cross towards the edge of the penalty area. The ball ricocheted to Bellingham, who shot from 18 metres, but Rönnow parried it for a corner. Ryerson took the resultant corner, which Schlotterbeck met with a powerful header to find the back of the net and bring the score to 2-0 (54).<\/p>\nUntil the start of the final quarter of an hour, Union had only had one shot in the second half \u2013 Borussia defended well, didn't shy away from any challenges and could have sealed the deal eight minutes before the end, but the lively Guirassy put Svensson\u2019s cross over the bar. However, Beier made no such mistake just seconds later from an assist by Bellingham. After an impressive first touch to control the ball, he fired a low shot into the net to bring the final score to 3-0 (84). \n \nOutlook: \n<\/b>The third \u201cEnglish week\u201d of the year is coming up, with home matches on Wednesday (21:00 CET, DAZN) against Inter Milan and on Sunday (17:30 CET, DAZN) against 1. FC Heidenheim.1. FC UNION BERLIN 0\u20133 (0-1) BORUSSIA DORTMUND<\/p>\nBundesliga, Matchday 19 \n <\/b>Saturday, 24 January 2026, 18:30 CET<\/p>\nUnion Berlin:<\/b> Rönnow \u2013 Doekhi, Querfeld, Diogo Leite (76, Burke) \u2013 Haberer (86, Trimmel), Khedira, Kemlein (76, Schäfer), Juranovic (66, Nsoki) \u2013 Jeong, Ansah (66, Burku) \u2013 Ilic \nSubstitutes:<\/b> Raab, Markgraf, Preu, Bogdanov<\/p>\nBor. Dortmund: <\/b>Kobel \u2013 Can (69, Anselmino), Anton, Schlotterbeck \u2013 Ryerson (90+2, Mane), Bellingham, Nmecha (90+2, Özcan), Svensson \u2013 Beier, Guirassy, Fabio Silva (79, Chukwuemeka) \nSubstitutes:<\/b> Meyer, Adeyemi, Couto, Brandt, Bensebaini<\/p>\nGoals:<\/b> 0-1 Can (10, penalty, Rönnow foul on Guirassy), 0-2 Schlotterbeck (54, corner, Ryerson), 0-3 Beier (84, Bellingham) \nBookings:<\/b> Can \nReferee:<\/b> Hartmann (Wangen) \nAttendance:<\/b> 22,012 (sold-out) at the Alten Försterei \nBoris Rupert<\/i><\/p>\n<img src=\"/content/dam/bvbweb/en/news/2026/01/24/bl-spielbericht/83-Grafik.jpg\" data-assetref=\"83-Grafik-1769279158370\"><\/p>\n","title":"Text","multiValue":false,"value":"Personnel matters: \n<\/b>There were four changes to the starting line-up compared to the previous match away to Tottenham Hotspur: Can, Ryerson, Beier, and Fabio Silva replaced Bensebaini, Adeyemi, Brandt, and Couto (who all moved to the bench). Guirassy and Fabio Silva started together in the Bundesliga for the second time (previously on Matchday 14 in Freiburg). Sabitzer and Süle were absent due to injury. \n<\/p>\nThe match: \n<\/b>From the very first second, it was the predicted battle with lots of tackles flying in, lots of long balls, especially from the Berlin club, and frequent changes in possession. Union had the first chance, \u201cnaturally\u201d from a set piece. Ilic headed a free kick from Jovanovic towards goal from close range, but Kobel was there to make the save and hold onto the ball (6). He quickly got the ball moving again, as BVB immediately launched a counter-attack. The ball came to Guirassy, who skipped past two Union defenders and rounded the onrushing keeper, who brought the Dortmund striker tumbling to the ground \u2013 penalty! Can stepped up and converted low into the left corner to make it 1-0 (10). \n<\/b><\/p>\n<img src=\"/content/dam/bvbweb/en/news/2026/01/24/bl-spielbericht/83-Union.jpg\" data-assetref=\"83-Union-1769279099275\"><\/p>\nBorussia were clearly in control at this stage and could have, perhaps should have, made it 2-0 in the 18th minute. Nmecha snatched the ball from Querfeld and slipped it to Guirassy, who was unmarked in front of Rönnow on the left side of the penalty area. However, Guirassy didn't pull the trigger, instead passing to Bellingham, whose powerful shot was blocked. Fabio Silva then sent the rebound wide of the left post.<\/p>\n<img src=\"/content/dam/bvbweb/en/news/2026/01/24/bl-spielbericht/83-Can.jpg\" data-assetref=\"83-Can-1769279107443\"><\/p>\nAfter half an hour, Union were back in the game, keeping BVB away from their own goal with high intensity and making sure the game was evenly balanced until half-time. With the temperature at three degrees below zero, Borussia Dortmund found their way back to a more precise style of play at the start of the second half. Nmecha won the ball in his own half, drove it deep into the opposition's half and passed to Fabio Silva, who was running on the left and drilled a sharp low cross towards the edge of the penalty area. The ball ricocheted to Bellingham, who shot from 18 metres, but Rönnow parried it for a corner. Ryerson took the resultant corner, which Schlotterbeck met with a powerful header to find the back of the net and bring the score to 2-0 (54).<\/p>\nUntil the start of the final quarter of an hour, Union had only had one shot in the second half \u2013 Borussia defended well, didn't shy away from any challenges and could have sealed the deal eight minutes before the end, but the lively Guirassy put Svensson\u2019s cross over the bar. However, Beier made no such mistake just seconds later from an assist by Bellingham. After an impressive first touch to control the ball, he fired a low shot into the net to bring the final score to 3-0 (84). \n \nOutlook: \n<\/b>The third \u201cEnglish week\u201d of the year is coming up, with home matches on Wednesday (21:00 CET, DAZN) against Inter Milan and on Sunday (17:30 CET, DAZN) against 1. FC Heidenheim.1. FC UNION BERLIN 0\u20133 (0-1) BORUSSIA DORTMUND<\/p>\nBundesliga, Matchday 19 \n <\/b>Saturday, 24 January 2026, 18:30 CET<\/p>\nUnion Berlin:<\/b> Rönnow \u2013 Doekhi, Querfeld, Diogo Leite (76, Burke) \u2013 Haberer (86, Trimmel), Khedira, Kemlein (76, Schäfer), Juranovic (66, Nsoki) \u2013 Jeong, Ansah (66, Burku) \u2013 Ilic \nSubstitutes:<\/b> Raab, Markgraf, Preu, Bogdanov<\/p>\nBor. Dortmund: <\/b>Kobel \u2013 Can (69, Anselmino), Anton, Schlotterbeck \u2013 Ryerson (90+2, Mane), Bellingham, Nmecha (90+2, Özcan), Svensson \u2013 Beier, Guirassy, Fabio Silva (79, Chukwuemeka) \nSubstitutes:<\/b> Meyer, Adeyemi, Couto, Brandt, Bensebaini<\/p>\nGoals:<\/b> 0-1 Can (10, penalty, Rönnow foul on Guirassy), 0-2 Schlotterbeck (54, corner, Ryerson), 0-3 Beier (84, Bellingham) \nBookings:<\/b> Can \nReferee:<\/b> Hartmann (Wangen) \nAttendance:<\/b> 22,012 (sold-out) at the Alten Försterei \nBoris Rupert<\/i><\/p>\n<img src=\"/content/dam/bvbweb/en/news/2026/01/24/bl-spielbericht/83-Grafik.jpg\" data-assetref=\"83-Grafik-1769279158370\"><\/p>\n","exportedType":"text/html"},"id":"editable-4e754267a6","prio":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"boolean","name":"prio","title":"Prio (Clubplatform)","multiValue":false,"value":true,"exportedType":"boolean"},"headline":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"headline","title":"Headline","multiValue":false,"value":"Borussia embrace the fight to win 3-0 in Berlin","exportedType":"text/plain"},"author":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"author","title":"Author","multiValue":false,"exportedType":"text/plain"},"teaserType":"relatedContent","match":{"multiLine":true,"dataType":"content-fragment","name":"match","html":"/content/dam/bvbweb/en/matches/football/profis/2025_2026/22/2569213_19_1_fc_unionberlin-borussiadortmund<\/p>","title":"Related Match","multiValue":false,"value":"/content/dam/bvbweb/en/matches/football/profis/2025_2026/22/2569213_19_1_fc_unionberlin-borussiadortmund","exportedType":"text/plain"},"externalId":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"externalId","title":"External ID (Clubplatform)","multiValue":false,"value":"2112978559","exportedType":"text/plain"},"displayOnHome":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"boolean","name":"displayOnHome","title":"Display in news wall on homepage","multiValue":false,"value":true,"exportedType":"boolean"},"url":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"url","title":"Vanity URL (LEAVE EMPTY FOR AUTOMATIC VANITY URL. 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{"subCategory":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"subCategory","title":"Departments","multiValue":true,"value":"Professionals","exportedType":"text/plain"},"dataLayer":{"editable-3304a94386":{"dc:description":"After defeat in the UEFA Champions League during the week, Borussia Dortmund will be looking to secure three important points in the Bundesliga when they head to Union Berlin on Saturday (18:30 CET, live on Sky). Niko Kovac wants his team to be fully committed from the first minute: \u201cIf you combine our obvious talent with physicality over 90 minutes, then the better team will always come out on top.\u201d<\/p>\n","xdm:linkURL":"https://www.bvb.de/de/en/news/news-overview/news.html/2026/1/23/Niko-Kovac-expects-a-tough-battle-from-the-first-to-the-final-whistle-in-Berlin.html","@type":"/apps/bvbweb/components/newssliderelements/editable","dc:title":"Niko Kovac expects \u201ca tough battle from the first to the final whistle\u201d in Berlin","repo:modifyDate":"2026-01-23T11:11:00Z"}},"displayTag":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"displayTag","title":"Display Department","multiValue":true,"value":[""],"exportedType":"text/plain"},"metadescription":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"metadescription","title":"Meta Description","multiValue":false,"exportedType":"text/plain"},"linkTarget":"_self","link":"https://www.bvb.de/de/en/news/news-overview/news.html/2026/1/23/Niko-Kovac-expects-a-tough-battle-from-the-first-to-the-final-whistle-in-Berlin.html","stageImages":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"stageImages","title":"Image (Stage Image)","multiValue":true,"value":["/content/dam/bvbweb/en/news/2026/01/23/bl-vorbericht/45M-Kovac.jpg"],"exportedType":"text/plain"},"experience":{"multiLine":true,"dataType":"string","name":"experience","title":"Experience Fragment","multiValue":false,"exportedType":"text/plain"},"appExport":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"boolean","name":"appExport","title":"App Export (Clubplatform)","multiValue":false,"value":true,"exportedType":"boolean"},"showDate":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"calendar","name":"showDate","title":"Show Date and Time (CET)","multiValue":false,"value":"23.01.26 11:11 Z","exportedType":"calendar"},"teaserText":{"multiLine":true,"dataType":"string","name":"teaserText","html":"After defeat in the UEFA Champions League during the week, Borussia Dortmund will be looking to secure three important points in the Bundesliga when they head to Union Berlin on Saturday (18:30 CET, live on Sky). Niko Kovac wants his team to be fully committed from the first minute: \u201cIf you combine our obvious talent with physicality over 90 minutes, then the better team will always come out on top.\u201d<\/p>\n","title":"Teaser Text","multiValue":false,"value":"After defeat in the UEFA Champions League during the week, Borussia Dortmund will be looking to secure three important points in the Bundesliga when they head to Union Berlin on Saturday (18:30 CET, live on Sky). Niko Kovac wants his team to be fully committed from the first minute: \u201cIf you combine our obvious talent with physicality over 90 minutes, then the better team will always come out on top.\u201d","exportedType":"text/html"},"scheduledPush":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"boolean","name":"scheduledPush","title":"Scheduled Push Notification?","multiValue":false,"value":false,"exportedType":"boolean"},"disableAdsOnNewsPage":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"boolean","name":"disableAdsOnNewsPage","title":"Disable Ads on News Page","multiValue":false,"value":false,"exportedType":"boolean"},"text":{"multiLine":true,"dataType":"string","name":"text","html":"Scenario \n<\/b>Interestingly, Union Berlin have lost to Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga more often than against any other team (nine times, including five of the last six meetings), but BVB have lost four of their six games at the Alten Försterei. This is Borussia\u2019s highest loss percentage against a club it has played at least twice. \u201c18:30, Wuhlheide, the lights come on and we need to be fast out of the traps. It will be a tough battle from the first to the final whistle,\u201d says the BVB head coach when referring to the other teams who have lost there (including Stuttgart and Leipzig) or only managed to draw there (Bayern Munich!). He demands only one thing of his team: \u201cFirst, they have to be willing to go toe-to-toe with Union. Only then can we start to play football.\u201d \n<\/b><\/p>\nAftermath \n<\/b>Tuesday\u2019s game against Tottenham has not been forgotten. \u201cOf course, I know that we have a few things to improve on,\u201d says Kovac in response to the criticism faced by his team, \u201cbut I also know that the team has improved significantly compared to last season.\u201d One year ago, \u201cit wasn\u2019t the playing style that was criticised but the results. I\u2019m not happy with certain situations either. If you win only 36% of the duels in the first half, then it\u2019s difficult to win the game. For me, football is first and foremost about intensity and being aggressive. Tackling is the essence of football.\u201d \n<\/b><\/p>\n<a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/live/KN25WHWWzNs\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">The press conference<\/b> at which Niko Kovac discussed the difference between first and second halves and late goals conceded <\/a><\/p>\nPersonnel matters<\/b> \nEveryone is available except Marcel Sabitzer (calf injury).<\/p>\nAt risk of suspension \n<\/b>Three Borussia players \u2013 all defenders (!) \u2013 are on four yellow cards going into the game: Julian Ryerson, Nico Schlotterbeck and Yan Couto. They will be suspended if they pick up another yellow card. \n<\/p>\nOpponent \n<\/b>More than a third (37%) of Union\u2019s goals have come from set pieces, which is the second-highest percentage in the Bundesliga. Their defenders are strong in the air and score more often than their strikers, so it will be important to watch out for that. The team from Köpenick has also recently benefitted from substitutions, with all four of their goals in 2026 being scored by super subs. \nBoris Rupert<\/i><\/p>\n","title":"Text","multiValue":false,"value":"Scenario \n<\/b>Interestingly, Union Berlin have lost to Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga more often than against any other team (nine times, including five of the last six meetings), but BVB have lost four of their six games at the Alten Försterei. This is Borussia\u2019s highest loss percentage against a club it has played at least twice. \u201c18:30, Wuhlheide, the lights come on and we need to be fast out of the traps. It will be a tough battle from the first to the final whistle,\u201d says the BVB head coach when referring to the other teams who have lost there (including Stuttgart and Leipzig) or only managed to draw there (Bayern Munich!). He demands only one thing of his team: \u201cFirst, they have to be willing to go toe-to-toe with Union. Only then can we start to play football.\u201d \n<\/b><\/p>\nAftermath \n<\/b>Tuesday\u2019s game against Tottenham has not been forgotten. \u201cOf course, I know that we have a few things to improve on,\u201d says Kovac in response to the criticism faced by his team, \u201cbut I also know that the team has improved significantly compared to last season.\u201d One year ago, \u201cit wasn\u2019t the playing style that was criticised but the results. I\u2019m not happy with certain situations either. If you win only 36% of the duels in the first half, then it\u2019s difficult to win the game. For me, football is first and foremost about intensity and being aggressive. Tackling is the essence of football.\u201d \n<\/b><\/p>\n<a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/live/KN25WHWWzNs\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">The press conference<\/b> at which Niko Kovac discussed the difference between first and second halves and late goals conceded <\/a><\/p>\nPersonnel matters<\/b> \nEveryone is available except Marcel Sabitzer (calf injury).<\/p>\nAt risk of suspension \n<\/b>Three Borussia players \u2013 all defenders (!) \u2013 are on four yellow cards going into the game: Julian Ryerson, Nico Schlotterbeck and Yan Couto. They will be suspended if they pick up another yellow card. \n<\/p>\nOpponent \n<\/b>More than a third (37%) of Union\u2019s goals have come from set pieces, which is the second-highest percentage in the Bundesliga. Their defenders are strong in the air and score more often than their strikers, so it will be important to watch out for that. The team from Köpenick has also recently benefitted from substitutions, with all four of their goals in 2026 being scored by super subs. \nBoris Rupert<\/i><\/p>\n","exportedType":"text/html"},"id":"editable-3304a94386","prio":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"boolean","name":"prio","title":"Prio (Clubplatform)","multiValue":false,"value":true,"exportedType":"boolean"},"headline":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"headline","title":"Headline","multiValue":false,"value":"Niko Kovac expects \u201ca tough battle from the first to the final whistle\u201d in Berlin","exportedType":"text/plain"},"author":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"author","title":"Author","multiValue":false,"exportedType":"text/plain"},"teaserType":"relatedContent","match":{"multiLine":true,"dataType":"content-fragment","name":"match","title":"Related Match","multiValue":false,"exportedType":"text/plain"},"externalId":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"externalId","title":"External ID (Clubplatform)","multiValue":false,"value":"1508529312","exportedType":"text/plain"},"displayOnHome":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"boolean","name":"displayOnHome","title":"Display in news wall on homepage","multiValue":false,"value":true,"exportedType":"boolean"},"url":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"url","title":"Vanity URL (LEAVE EMPTY FOR AUTOMATIC VANITY URL. 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