In the away match in Mainz, Union Berlin wants to take the sporting momentum from the European Cup match against Haifa with them. However, the anti-Semitism incidents of that match are still reverberating.
On Saturday afternoon, 1. FC Union Berlin travelled with confidence to the match at 1. FSV Mainz 05. On Sunday (3.30 p.m., LIVE! on kicker), they will be looking for their next success after recent victories against Arminia Bielefeld (1-0) in the Bundesliga and Maccabi Haifa (3-0) in the group stage of the Europa Conference League.
Fischer calls for efficiency
But coach Urs Fischer is looking very respectfully at his next opponents, who, like Union, have also made a very decent start to the season and have even managed to collect one more point in the table so far. “Mainz have not only started the season well. They’ve really done really well in the second half of last season,” Fischer explained. “They are a team with a clear structure. They hardly allow any goal-scoring chances. It will be a tough task for us. We have to be very efficient. “
Does Behrens get the starting eleven?
In Mainz, Union are likely to rotate back in a few positions compared to the game against Haifa. Goalkeeper Andreas Luthe and attackers Max Kruse and Taiwo Awoniyi will certainly return to the starting eleven. However, it will be interesting to see what Fischer will do with the in-form striker Kevin Behrens. The new signing from SV Sandhausen scored against both Bielefeld and Haifa. Against the Israelis, he also set up Andreas Voglsammer for the 1:0. Behrens is also a hot candidate for the club’s 100th Bundesliga goal. The Eisern currently have 99 goals.
Of the regular candidates, only Timo Baumgartl has to miss out (concussion). In addition, goalkeeper Jakob Busk is ill. Striker Cedric Teuchert, who was absent against Haifa due to an infection, is also not expected to play.
Muted joy over beautiful evening of football
The beautiful sporting atmosphere is, however, dampened by the anti-Semitic incidents of a few troublemakers at the match against Haifa. “It was actually an evening of football with a great atmosphere and many happy faces on both sides. It’s just that a minority can always break something somewhere. You shouldn’t give them too much space,” said Fischer. The association is in contact with the police, who are looking for the perpetrators.
