Union Berlin beats Cologne 2-0, climbs 10th in Bundesliga

BERLIN (AP) — Sebastian Andersson scored twice for promoted Union Berlin to beat Cologne 2-0 and climb 10th in the Bundesliga on Sunday.

The Swedish striker struck in either half to give Union its sixth win and its fans hope of surviving its first season in the Bundesliga. Union is seven points clear of the relegation zone after 14 games, closer in points to defending champion Bayern Munich than it is to the teams struggling at the bottom.

Cologne, which was fortunate not to lose by more at Union’s sold-out Stadion An der Alten Försterei, remains in trouble in its third game under new coach Markus Gisdol. Cologne hasn’t won a game since beating last-place Paderborn 3-0 on Oct. 20.

Both sides found it hard to create chances in a scrappy opening until Cologne midfielder Birger Verstraete tested Rafal Gikiewicz with a dangerous free kick after 25 minutes.

Cologne counterpart Timo Horn did well to save Andersson’s shot at the other end, but was powerless to stop the Swede from scoring off the resultant corner in the 33rd.

Union captain Christopher Trimmel sent the ball into the center where Andersson powered in a header from close range.

There were groans around the stadium when the home side failed to make the most of counterattack when four Union players faced two Cologne defenders, but Sebastian Polter played the ball too far ahead of Marcus Ingvartsen when shooting would have been a better option.

However, Andersson grabbed his second two minutes after the break when he rounded Horn and eluded one defender before shooting back at goal. Sebastiaan Bornauw cleared off the line but referee Patrick Ittrich checked his watch and goal-line technology told him the ball crossed the line.

Noah Katterbach prevented Trimmel from adding a third as Union threatened the run riot. Julian Ryerson just missed Marius Bülter’s cross in the 78th.

Paderborn faced a trip to Werder Bremen later.

League leader Borussia Mönchengladbach defeated Bayern 2-1 on Saturday, the defending champion’s second successive loss.

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Ciarán Fahey on Twitter: https://twitter.com/cfaheyAP