Union Berlin has claimed the first victory in its European adventure: The Eisernen deservedly beat opponents Maccabi Haifa 3-0 at the Olympiastadion.
Union coach Urs Fischer brought five new players into the starting line-up after the 1-0 win against Arminia Bielefeld: Becker, Möhwald, Haraguchi and Behrens replaced Voglsammer, Kruse, Awoniyi and Baumgartl. Luthe made way for Rönnow between the posts.
From the beginning, Union was very dominant and took control of the game. The visitors had less of the game, stood deep and lurked on the counterattack. But the Köpenickers found it difficult to penetrate the dangerous areas. That is why it took some time before Haifa keeper Cohen had to intervene for the first time. Möhwald’s shot from the second row was saved by the keeper (29th), but he was then forced to make a save after Behrens’ pass to Voglsammer (33rd). With the 1:0 lead behind them, the home side continued to run and also got better and better with diagonal balls behind the last chain of the visitors. In the end, Union dominated the game until the break, but further chances remained scarce.
Behrens adds to the tally
In the second half, Union picked up where they left off. The home side pressed for the 2-0 lead and were rewarded by Behrens, who headed home a Trimmel free-kick (52nd).
Union increased their lead and then pulled back a little more. The visitors let the ball run through their own ranks more often, but they could not conjure up any danger. Maccabi collected more and more possession – but only in the area near the halfway line.
The final phase was then ushered in by Becker, who chased the ball against the post after a long ball (69th). After the Berliners continued to hold back and allowed the visitors some periods of possession, they struck ice-cold at the start of the final quarter of an hour. Substitute Awoniyi made it 3-0 after a counter-attack in the 76th minute, and that was the final score.
The Köpenickers move up to second place in the table with their first Conference League win. The visitors are in last place with one point. Feyenoord Rotterdam remain at the top of the table. Union Berlin visit Mainz 05 on Sunday (3.30 p.m.) and Haifa host Hapoel Beer Sheva on Sunday (7.45 p.m.).
