BERLIN: A first-half goal from captain Marco Reus was enough to see Borussia Dortmund past Bayer Leverkusen while Union Berlin defeated city rivals Hertha to claim derby bragging rights.

In a fixture known more for attack than defence in recent years - three of the past five games between Dortmund and Leverkusen have featured seven goals — it was highlighted by defence, particularly that of Dortmund newcomer Nico Schlotterbeck.

After a nervy opening, the home side took the lead in the ninth minute when Reus finished off a slick team move kick-started by aggressive pressing from Dortmund’s 19-year-old England International Jude Bellingham.

Bellingham toe-poked the ball out of Leverkusen’s possession and into the path of Dortmund’s 17-year-old striker Youssoufa Moukoko, who glided a pass across the face of goal to Bundesliga debutant Karim Adeyemi.

Hradecky half-saved Adeyemi’s shot, before Reus slammed it into the back of the net as it trickled its way over the line in the 10th minute.

But the winning start for Dortmund was overshadowed by an injury to Adeyemi who was eventually forced out in the 23rd minute.

It was also a victorious return for Dortmund coach Edin Terzic, back on the bench after 15 months following his first stint as an interim coach in 2021.

“We did not start really well, lost possession a few times but recovered well. They were better after the break but we defend our lead well,” said Terzic, who coached for the first time in the Bundesliga in front of fans.

“Sometimes it’s not possible to score more than one and you have to protect that clean sheet instead.”

In stoppage time, Hradecky was red-carded for handling the ball outside the area.

UNION KINGS OF BERLIN

American striker Jordan Siebatcheu scored on his Bundesliga debut as Union Berlin cantered to a 3-1 home victory over Hertha.

Brought in over the summer to replace Nottingham Forest-bound Taiwo Awoniyi, Siebatcheu glanced a Sheraldo Becker cross past Oliver Christensen to put Union ahead in the 32nd minute.

Becker added the second goal in the 50th minute, before Robin Knoche headed in a Christopher Trimmel corner four minutes later to put the result beyond doubt.

Hertha winger Dodi Lukebakio scored a late consolation goal.

Union have now won four in a row against their big brothers from the city’s west and have only lost twice from seven Bundesliga clashes since being promoted to the top division in 2019.Werder Bremen celebrated their return to the Bundesliga after a year in the second division by snatching a point in a 2-2 draw at Wolfsburg.

In their first Bundesliga match under former Bayern Munich and Monaco coach Niko Kovac, Wolfsburg took the lead early, with Lukas Nmecha dinking a perfect chip over keeper Jiri Pavlenka to put the home side in the lead.

Bremen, clad in a salmon pink away strip, hit back with two quick goals through Niclas Fuellkrug in 21st minute then two minutes later Leonardo Bittencourt found the net to take a lead into half-time.

Kovac brought on Max Kruse in the 76th minute with his final change.

Kruse, who scored 35 goals in 94 games with Werder, quickly created an equaliser, gliding a cross into the penalty box for Josuha Guilavogui to hammer it home.

Borussia Moenchengladbach got off to a winning start under new manager Daniel Farke, beating 10-man Hoffenheim 3-1 at home.

Hoffenheim took the lead in the 25th minute through Robert Skov just after defender Stefan Posch received his second yellow for a studs-up tackle on Ramy Bensebaini, but were unable to hold on.

Bensebaini equalised the score in the 41st minute while birthday boy Marcus Thuram gave host’s the lead in the 71st minute before Nico Elvedi seals the victory seven minutes later.

Beaten German Cup finalists in 2021-22, SC Freiburg continued their strong form under long-time manager Christian Streich, scoring four second-half goals to win 4-0 at Augsburg.

Michael Gregoritsch scored just seconds after half-time, before dead-ball specialist Vincenzo Grifo added another to put Freiburg 2-0 up in the 47th minute.

Summer arrival Matthias Ginter added a third in the 61th minute, before fellow new recruit and Japanese international Ritsu Doan added a fourth in the 78th.

Mainz defeated Bochum 2-1 through two goals from Austrian striker Karim Onisiwo.

Published in Dawn, August 8th, 2022