Nigerian midfielder Chidera Ejuke was unable to help Hertha Berlin avoid
defeat in their opening game of the Bundesliga season on Saturday.
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| Marc Oliver Kempf of Hertha BSC and Jordan Siebatcheu of 1. FC Union Berlin battle for the ball during the Bundesliga match between 1. FC Union Berlin and Hertha BSC at Stadion an der alten Försterei on August 6, 2022 in Berlin, Germany. |
The Bundesliga returned with a big bang on Friday night as Bayern Munich
thumped Eintracht Frankfurt 6-1. The defending champions showed that their
appetite for silverware has not waned as Sadio Mane scored his first Bundesliga
goal and contributed two assists in the game.
In the Berlin Derby on Saturday, we were treated to a sumptuous game at
the Stadion an der Alten Försterei where Union welcomed city rivals Hertha BSC
for the curtain opener.
The Irons did not show any impact of the absence of their Nigerian
talisman Taiwo Awoniyi as they defeated Hertha 3-1.
Jordan Siebatcheu, the US national team player that was bought as a
replacement for Awoniyi, opened scoring for the Irons in the first half.
Sheraldo Becker, the Surinamese winger who formed a devastating partnership
with Awoniyi last season, made it 2-0 five minutes into the second half before
Robin Knoche added the third moments later.
Hertha made a raft of changes as they brought on Ejuke in place of
Kevin-Prince Boateng for his Bundesliga debut. The Nigerian midfielder, who is
known for his tricks and dribbling, had two blocked shots as Hertha chased the
game.
It wasn’t until the 85th minute when Dodi Lukebakio scored from a
low shot across the goal of Frederik Rönnow to make it 3-1.
Ejuke would hope to have convinced coach Sandro Schwarz to hand him a
starting spot in their home game next weekend against Frankfurt.
Also, cup finalist
Freiburg routed Augsburg 4-0 away, Borussia Mönchengladbach defeated visiting
Hoffenheim 3-1, Wolfsburg drew with promoted Werder Bremen 2-2, and Mainz won
2-1 in Bochum.
Borussia Dortmund
hosted Bayer Leverkusen late.
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