1. FC Union Berlin returned to winning ways at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei with a 3-1 victory over Mainz.
A first-half goal from Genki Haraguchi set Urs Fischer's team on the way to three points after three without a win and a goal in the Bundesliga.
Sheraldo Becker captured the afternoon with a stunning strike on 56 minutes before setting up substitute Taiwo Awoniyi to put away his 10th of the campaign.
Urs Fischer rang the changes after three losses on the spin with five new players coming in to give the team a fresh edge - Christopher Trimmel, Niko Gießelmann, Robin Knoche, Genki Haraguchi and Andreas Voglsammer were in from the start. All Bundesliga clubs across Germany joined together to show solidarity with those affected in Ukraine. A statement addressed the matter before the kick-off: "We condemn any kind of war. Sport stands for international understanding, togetherness, fair play and solidarity. Our sympathy and concerns are with the innocent people who fear for their lives and their homes. We ask you to stand up as a sign for peace and pause for a moment."
The Köpenick club started with energy and tempo as they looked to take a vital step towards the 40-point mark in the Bundesliga. A scrappy shot from Niko Gießelmann was turned home by Haraguchi from the centre of the penalty box after seven minutes. Referee Bastian Dankert consulted with the video assistant referee Guido Winkmann and after a four-minute delay, the goal was confirmed. Sheraldo Becker threatened with his runs in behind the Mainz defence and after rounding Robin Zentner he couldn't control the opportunity to finish. Bo Svensson's team started the game on 34 points - the same as Urs Fischer's side - and we saw exactly what has made the Carnival Club one of the toughest teams to beat in the Bundesliga. Stefan Bell shot over before Aaron Martin's cross picked out Alexander Hack, his fellow central defender. Martin blazed wide with a low drive on 34 minutes and Bell forced another good opportunity from a set-piece situation which wasn't converted. Mainz were handed the final attempt of the half as Martin stood over a free-kick, 25 yards out. The Spaniard looped the ball over the crossbar and the half ended with Union ahead.
Mainz's robustness and strength continued to threaten whenever the game was scappy. Becker flashed the ball across for Union but there were no takers inside the first few minutes of the second half. A cute flick from Lee gave Jonathan Burkardt a huge sight at goal but the Union defence recovered to put bodies on the line. Becker's willingness to test the Mainz defence paid off on 56 minutes with a spectacular goal for the Dutchman. Union's number 27 cut inside from the left-hand side on to his favoured right foot and bent the ball expertly passed Zentner from 25 yards out. Two yellow cards in quick succession saw Dominik Kohr given his marching orders in the 61st minute as the mountain became bigger for Mainz to climb. The midfielder crashed through Grischa Prömel in the middle of the pitch and Dankert was in no doubts about the punishment. Taiwo Awoniyi was given the shout after 67 minutes to replace Voglsammer up top and the striker saw the ball land in his direction following a Gießelmann cross but Baumgartl took control and faced a stubborn Mainz defence. The Nigerian international finished off his first sight at goal with 75 minutes on the clock following a great run in behind from team-mate Becker. Awoniyi held his nerve and squeezed past Zentner from a few yards out in front of the Waldseite. That was the Dutchman's final action of the game as he was replaced immediately by Kevin Möhwald - Sven Michel also came on for goalscorer Haraguchi. Levin Öztunali and Bastian Oczipka were Union's last substitutions as Urs Fischer's team stayed in control of the destination of the points. Mainz substitute Delano Burgzorg smashed home a pass into the box from Anton Stach but Union held firm to move on to 37 points for the season.
Home clash against Mainz
Match preview
1. FC Union Berlin are back at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei on Saturday as the Köpenick club host Bo Svensson's Mainz.
Review — The last match:
1. FC Union Berlin suffered a 0-1 defeat at Arminia Bielefeld last Saturday. The Köpenick club lost for the third successive game as Urs Fischer's team struggled to find the killer instinct in front of goal. Patrick Wimmer hit the post after 11 minutes, but Union came back into the game. Stefan Ortega made a sharp block against Taiwo Awoniyi while a cross from Sheraldo Becker was headed wide by Sven Michel. Union's new number 10 passed up a chance in the second half before Bielefeld broke through. Masaya Okugawa scored after 53 minutes, shooting past Andreas Luthe from inside the box to give the home side all three points.
Mainz — Opposition Report:
Bo Svensson lifted Mainz out of relegation difficulty last season and made the Carnival Club one of the in-form teams of 2021. Mainz have continued that progress and share the same number of points as 1. FC Union Berlin (34). Union and Mainz both share primary targets of maintaining their Bundesliga position beyond this season. Marcus Ingvartsen, on loan from Union to Mainz, scored the winner last time out as Svensson's side performed a sensational turnaround against Bayer Leverkusen and win 3-2. Mainz are three games in the Bundesliga without defeat.
Mainz — The coach's view:
Urs Fischer: "Mainz's last game against Leverkusen was great, turning the result around with a goal at the end. They never give up until the last minute. It's a robust and strong team with good organisation and compactness. They have a very strong transition game, as well as speed. They are aggressive on second balls. It's a very difficult match."
Personnel:
Keita Endo and Andras Schäfer are unavailable for selection due to injury. Dominique Heintz trained Thursday with the team for the first time. Fischer said he was "cautious" and will wait until the end of the final training session.
Service:
The match will go ahead under 2G-Plus rules in front of a maximum of 10,000 supporters at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei.
