BERLIN (AP) — Anthony Modeste’s first goal for Dortmund was enough to clinch a 1-0 win over Hertha Berlin in the Bundesliga, with Union Berlin the big winner on Saturday.
Hertha’s city rivals took a tentative 6-1 lead at Schalke before Bayern Munich hosted Borussia Monchengladbach.
Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kerber played a key role in his team’s third win in four games, although that won’t erase memories of last weekend’s 3-2 home loss to Werder Bremenwhen Dortmund became the first player in the league to concede three goals after the 88th minute.
Modeste scored against Hertha in the 32nd minute, with his header on a cross from former Cologne team-mate Saleh Ozkan. Turkish midfielder Ozkan makes his Dortmund debut following a move between the two sides.
Karim Adeyemi has also started for Dortmund after two games with a left toe injury, but Gio Reyna has no place in the squad – a week ago he was in He made his debut against Bremen, his first since April 8, when he injured his right hamstring again. Dortmund did not elaborate.
After scoring, Modeste ran to hug coach Edin Terzic, whose celebration belied the pressure he has been under since joining from Cologne.
Dortmund fans celebrated again early in the second half when news broke of another goal by Union Berlin at their arch-rivals Schalke.
Jude Bellingham missed several game-killing chances for Dortmund before Marco Richter hit the crossbar in Hertha’s comeback. Excellent Kerber has the ball at his fingertips.Richter debuts after being treated for testicular tumor.
joint flight
The league beat Schalke 6-1 to advance, and for the first time remained unbeaten in five consecutive Bundesliga away games. It was also its first victory over the Gelsenkirchen-based club.
Norwegian midfielder Morten Tolsby scored about five minutes on his league debut, while Marius Bult equalised from a penalty kick in the 31st minute. Bülter’s celebrations were limited because he previously played for the league.
Schalke created more chances but Sherardo Becker restored the visitors’ lead five minutes later with a deflected shot, and Janick Haberler swept away a long shot just before half-time. A powerful blow made it 3-1.
Becker scored again after the break, leaving Schalke coach Frank Kramer rubbing his chin on the sidelines.
Sven Michel completed the rout with quick-fire goals in the 87th and 90th.
Leverkusen relief
After losing four games in all competitions at the start of the season, Bayer Leverkusen finally beat Mainz 3-0.
Jeremie Frimpong’s two first-half goals will ease the pressure on Leverkusen coach Gerardo Seoane in the minutes following Jonathan Burkardt’s own goal on the 29th.
Leipzig also scored their first victory, beating Wolfsburg 2-0 and Hoffenheim 1-0 Augsburg.
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