Marcus Ingvartsen had the first sight of goal for the hosts, five minutes into what had been a positive opening from Urs Fischer's men. His shot missed the target by a distance, but Union's attacking approach appeared to be spot on as they established an evident supremacy. Even without the suspended Christopher Trimmel, Union had another excellent free-kick taker in Ingvartsen, whose enticing cross was met by Knoche with a looping header into the far corner of Yann Sommer's goal from the very edge of the penalty area for his first goal of the season. It was Union's 12th successful set-piece this season, second only to Gladbach's 16, yet not even the dead balls were working for the Foals in a frustrating first half for Marco Rose's men.