Eight Strikes in Berlin: Union Berlin and Stuttgart Deliver the Wildest Opening Act in Bundesliga History #2659
The city of Berlin, vibrant and steeped in history, sets the stage for a pivotal Bundesliga clash as Union Berlin welcomes Stuttgart to the Stadion An der Alten Försterei. Known for its electric atmosphere and deeply passionate fanbase, the stadium will pulsate with excitement as these two sides face off, each with contrasting narratives shaping their seasons. Union Berlin, once teetering dangerously close to relegation territory, has seen a remarkable turnaround under Steffen Baumgart, who took the helm last December. After enduring a turbulent start and a three-match losing streak in March, Union Berlin has regained their footing. Now unbeaten in their last five matches, including impressive draws against Bayern Munich and Leverkusen, Baumgart has stabilized the team and guided them 12 points clear of the drop zone. While lacking significant star power, players like Benedict Hollerbach, the team’s leading scorer with eight goals, and January acquisition Andrej Lic, who has already found the net three times, have stepped up in crucial moments to propel Union forward. They’ve found their rhythm as the season heads toward its conclusion, signaling that the red side of Berlin is firmly on the rise. Stuttgart, on the other hand, has faltered when it mattered most. Once vying for a European spot, their hopes have dimmed following a stretch of poor form that has yielded just one win in their last eight matches. Currently seven points adrift of the final European place, the team has hit a cold streak at the worst possible time. Nevertheless, Stuttgart boasts an array of talent in Ermedin Demirovic, their top scorer with 15 goals and three assists, as well as Nick Woltemade and Maximilian Mittelstaedt, who have delivered consistent performances throughout the season. Under Sebastian Hoeness, Stuttgart has showcased flashes of their potential, but their inability to sustain momentum has left them with diminished ambitions — top 10 is now the most realistic target. As Union Berlin hosts Stuttgart, these two teams find themselves at different crossroads. Union, thriving under Baumgart’s leadership, is aiming to further distance themselves from the relegation battle and end the season with positive momentum. Meanwhile, Stuttgart will look to break their slump and salvage what remains of their European hopes. In a city that never ceases to inspire, the stage is set for an intriguing contest in the Köpenick district as the beautiful game takes center stage in Berlin. Let’s see who seizes their moment.
Union Berlin looked to shoot out of the cannon, aiming for a vibrant start — and that’s exactly what transpired. From the first whistle, they set the tone with immediate purpose and intensity, determined to assert control at home. In just the 5th minute, Christopher Trimmel delivered a pinpoint cross into the box from the right side. Danilho Doekhi rose highest to meet it, powering a header that was blocked amidst a crowded penalty area. However, Andrej Lic was lurking in the perfect spot, ready to capitalize. The January signing reacted instinctively, timing his strike to perfection. With a quick adjustment to his footing, he unleashed a sharp, low shot that rifled into the bottom corner past the outstretched arms of Fabian Bredlow. The 1–0 lead set Union Berlin on fire as the home crowd roared with approval, energizing their team even further. A little more than 10 minutes later, Union sought to double their advantage, this time through a brilliantly executed set piece. Despite Stuttgart dominating possession during this period, Union capitalized on a free kick opportunity from deep on the left flank. The delivery into the box found Leopold Querfeld near the left post, who executed a strong header. The effort redirected the ball toward the right side of the penalty area, where Diogo Leite had anticipated perfectly. Leite threw himself at the ball, connecting with a powerful header that flew with pinpoint precision into the top right corner. Bredlow could do nothing but watch as Union’s advantage grew to 2–0.
The chemistry and understanding between Querfeld and Leite showcased Union’s adaptability and discipline in exploiting Stuttgart’s vulnerabilities. However, Stuttgart had no intention of folding. In the 23rd minute, they clawed their way back with a goal of breathtaking audacity. Maximilian Mittelstädt orchestrated the attack by threading a simple but well-weighted pass to Deniz Undav, who was situated well outside the penalty box. Undav showed no hesitation. From nearly 30 yards out, he unleashed a ferocious shot that cannoned off his boot like a missile. The ball swerved with deceptive movement before screaming into the top left corner. Frederik Rønnow had no chance as he was left rooted to his spot, stunned by the precision and power of Undav’s strike. Stuttgart had been handed a lifeline, narrowing the score to 2–1. Incredibly, Stuttgart delivered another moment of magic just six minutes later, leveling the game in stunning fashion. Angelo Stiller found himself in possession and scanned the field with composure. Spotting Enzo Millot making a late run toward the edge of the box, Stiller rolled the ball into his teammate’s path. Millot controlled it smoothly, took a single step forward, and drilled a low, venomous shot that sliced through Union’s defense. The ball darted into the bottom left corner with accuracy, leaving Rønnow scrambling in vain. It was the French midfielder’s ninth goal of the season, a strike that typified Stuttgart’s quality from distance. Just like that, the score was 2–2, and the momentum had shifted dramatically. Union Berlin refused to back down.
In the 38th minute, they reclaimed their lead with one of the most remarkable goals of the season. Following a sequence of throw-ins near the corner flag, Leopold Querfeld found himself in possession outside the penalty area. Sensing an opening, the 21-year-old Austrian defender showed extraordinary confidence and unleashed a thunderous shot. The ball soared like a rocket, smashing into the top left corner with immaculate precision and power. Querfeld’s first-ever Bundesliga goal was nothing short of astonishing, a highlight that would be talked about for weeks. Union Berlin was back in front, leading 3–2. But Stuttgart remained relentless. In the 43rd minute, they equalized once again, this time through their set-piece mastery. Angelo Stiller floated a delicate free kick into the penalty area, perfectly weighted and measured. Jeff Chabot rose above the Union defense with incredible timing, meeting the ball with a decisive header. His effort was directed into the bottom right corner, beyond Rønnow’s reach. Stuttgart had once again clawed back, bringing the score to 3–3 as the end of the half approached. As stoppage time began, Stuttgart surged forward yet again with devastating precision. Deniz Undav, pivotal throughout the match, ignited the counterattack with pace and vision. Spotting Chris Führich’s intelligent run, Undav threaded a beautifully weighted through ball into the box. Führich displayed composure under pressure, angling his shot toward the bottom corner. The ball nestled comfortably into the net, giving Stuttgart their first lead of the game at 4–3. Union Berlin’s defense looked stunned, and Stuttgart appeared to have the upper hand. But the drama wasn’t over. In the dying moments of stoppage time, Union Berlin mounted one final push. A free kick awarded just outside the box presented their opportunity. Christopher Trimmel stepped up and sent an exquisite delivery into the crowded penalty area. Rising above the Stuttgart defenders, Andrej Lic connected with the ball and delivered a thunderous header that flew into the back of the net. The equalizer at 4–4 sent the Stadion An der Alten Försterei into a frenzy as the referee blew the whistle for halftime.
The match between Union Berlin and Stuttgart at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei will undoubtedly go down in history as one of the most extraordinary games ever witnessed — not just in the Bundesliga, but perhaps in global football. With eight goals scored in the first half alone, the intensity, drama, and breathtaking action defied all logic. Both teams showcased attacking brilliance, leaving fans in Berlin stunned and exhilarated. Union Berlin struck first with Andrej Lic and Diogo Leite finding the net to put the hosts in a commanding 2–0 lead. However, Stuttgart delivered an immediate response with two outrageous long-range strikes from Deniz Undav and Enzo Millot, leveling the score at 2–2. Leopold Querfeld’s jaw-dropping goal restored Union’s lead, but Stuttgart refused to back down. Jeff Chabot and Chris Führich turned the tide in Stuttgart’s favor before Lic’s header in stoppage time brought the score to an astonishing 4–4 at halftime. After such a frenzied first half, the second half was considerably slower as both sides seemed drained from their early exertions. Union Berlin and Stuttgart created sporadic chances but were unable to replicate the fireworks of the first half. Benedikt Hollerbach, Ermedin Demirovic, and Maximilian Mittelstädt all came close, yet their efforts went wide or were denied by the defenses and goalkeepers. The frustration was evident as Marin Ljubičić’s long-range strike narrowly missed late in the game, leaving the Croatian forward visibly disheartened. As the final whistle blew, the scoreline remained locked at 4–4, with all eight goals packed into the exhilarating first half. Union Berlin and Stuttgart gave fans a spectacle that few will forget, even as their seasons continue without major stakes. It was a testament to the unpredictable beauty of football, leaving both teams to reflect on an unforgettable performance.
In the second half, the game naturally lost some of the frenetic energy that characterized the first 45 minutes. The tempo slowed, and the two sides could only muster a handful of chances that hinted at a potential winner. It was almost as though all the intensity and effort from the incredible first half had drained them entirely. Ultimately, the match concluded in a 4–4 draw — a result both Union Berlin and Stuttgart are likely content with given the current standings. Neither team is realistically fighting for European spots, nor are they in imminent danger of relegation. While Stuttgart might have slightly improved their chances at European contention with a victory, their form over the past month has effectively ended those ambitions. Even with technical possibilities still alive, they would need an unlikely series of results to work in their favor, both for themselves and against several other teams. Their chances remain slim at best. If we’re to reflect on which side might feel better about the outcome, it’s likely Stuttgart. They clawed back from deficits twice — first a 2–0 disadvantage and then trailing 3–2 — and managed to match Union Berlin’s efforts throughout. That said, it’s difficult to assign blame to either team for not finding a winner after the attacking spectacle they produced in the opening half. Union Berlin had slightly more control in the second half, appearing the stronger side, yet even they couldn’t finish the job and secure all three points. That said, it would feel unjust for either team to walk away empty-handed. The quality and volume of attacking football displayed deserved recognition for both sides, and the shared point feels deserved. Now, speaking candidly, that first half might be one of the most incredible displays of attacking football I’ve ever witnessed. Even comparing it to historic Bundesliga matches — like Leverkusen’s 5–4 victory against Dortmund or the high-stakes Leipzig vs Bayern Munich battles — it stands out for its utter insanity. Eight goals in one half is an absurd feat, but the quality of those goals elevated the spectacle even further. Stuttgart’s back-to-back long-range strikes were jaw-dropping, while Union Berlin showcased craftiness with their first two goals, and Querfeld’s remarkable strike after the throw-in sequence stands as one of the finest goals of the season. The sheer variety and brilliance of the finishes created a masterpiece, two of which were scored in stoppage time for good measure. It was a relentless 45 minutes that exemplified attacking football at its peak. Had there been a winner, it might have undermined the fairness of the game. Denying either side points would have felt cruel after what we witnessed. Together, Union Berlin and Stuttgart delivered a first-half spectacle that will be remembered as one of the most explosive examples of attacking football ever. Though the second half couldn’t replicate the brilliance of the first, it doesn’t take away from what was an unforgettable match in Berlin
