Union Berlin celebrates 5-0 victory in the DFB Cup – coach still sees room for improvement!

Union Berlin celebrates 5-0 victory in the DFB Cup – coach still sees room for improvement!

A brilliant start for 1. FC Union Berlin in the first round of the DFB Cup: On August 16, 2025, the team celebrated an impressive 5-0 win against SC Gütersloh. This result comes at just the right time, a week before the start of the new season in the Bundesliga, and gives the players the confidence they need. However, coach Steffen Baumgart made it clear that the focus was not on the beauty of the game, but on the performance. A report from Tagesspiegel also points out the need for improvement in the team.

The goals were scored in a slow pace, but still effective. Robert Skov opened the game with a free kick in the 19th minute, followed by Leopold Querfeld and Danilho Doekhi, who both scored from corners in the 34th and 43rd minutes. Andrei Ilic and Woo-Yeong Jeong rounded off the result in the second half by adding in the 78th and 90th +4 minutes.

Strategy and challenges

Against Gütersloh, Baumgart relied on an offensive orientation with three strikers: Ilic, Oliver Burke and Iliyas Ansah. Interestingly, he criticized the first half, in which the strikers were too aligned, and stressed the need for better midfield support, which captain Christopher Trimmel confirmed. After a mixed test match phase in which the Union lost four games in a row to nil, this victory was particularly important.

However, an unpleasant incident overshadowed the victory: goalkeeper Frederik Rönnow had to be substituted in the second half due to dizziness and was taken to hospital for examination. Matheo Raab, his replacement, ensured that Union finished with a clean sheet. Safety comes first, Baumgart also said about the situation around Rönnow.

A look into the future

With the start of the cup under their belt, Union Berlin now has the chance to consolidate their form before the Bundesliga season starts. The strong performance against Gütersloh will certainly ensure good morale, even if coach Baumgart remains undecided as to whether this performance will be enough for the start of the Bundesliga. Curiosity about the upcoming games is definitely the order of the day.

With a clear focus on the constant improvement and individual achievements of their players, Union Berlin could have a say in the top spots in the league at the end of the day. Football fans from the Cologne area can look forward to an exciting season!