Union Berlin clinch first away Bundesliga win
Victory in Mainz:
1. FC Union Berlin picked up their first away victory in the Bundesliga, beating Mainz 3-1 at the OPEL-Arena.
Sebastian Andersson scored two goals, either side of the half-time break. The opener came from Marcus Ingvartsen to set Urs Fischer’s side on their way to an excellent away win.
Karim Onisiwo scored for Mainz with 9 minutes left and Daniel Brosinski stoppage time strike made it a nervy final 60 seconds for Union.
1. FSV Mainz 05: Zentner; Brosinski, Martin (Burkhart 77), St. Juste, Niakhate; Boetius (Onisiwo 60), Fernandes, Baku; Öztunali (Maxim 52), Quaison, Szalai
1. FC Union Berlin: Gikiewicz; Schlotterbeck (Parensen 32), Friedrich, Subotic; Lenz, Trimmel, Gentner, Andrich, Ingvartsen; Polter (Kroos 76), Andersson (Ujah 88)
Union, dressed in the neon green third kit, started the game with one change from the derby victory against Hertha Berlin — the winning scorer Sebastian Polter was rewarded with a start in place of Marius Bülter. There was no hangover from last week’s success as Union pressed and hustled the home team in red. Robert Andrich was cautioned early on for a bit of over-zealousness in a challenge with Adam Szalai. In forward areas, Union looked dangerous with Polter and Andersson together, supported by Ingvartsen and both wing-backs. On 15 minutes, Andersson teed up Christian Gentner who blazed over from close range. Andrich set up Christopher Lenz three minutes later, but the left-back couldn’t control the shot with his weaker foot. Union Berlin goalkeeper Rafal Gikiewicz was equally alert to keep out Adam Szalai after the 20th-minute mark before Baku curled wide with the clearest opportunity of the half. The Köpenick club grew back into the game and never looked back, scoring the opening goal after half an hour — Ingvartsen started the attack, combined with Trimmel whose cross was bundled into the net by Brosinski. Earlier in the half, centre back Keven Schlotterbeck took a knock from the ball bouncing back off his face and Michael Parensen eventually took his place. The final touch of the first 45 minutes came from Andersson who bulleted home Trimmel’s corner kick, his fourth goal of the season.
Six minutes after the restart, Andersson scored his second goal with the Swede heading in another cross from Christoper Trimmel's free-kick. With a three-goal advantage, Fischer's side looked composed and in control of the game. The hosts, under pressure from the home crowd, struggled to find a way through a resolute defensive block. Sebastian Polter was given a standing ovation for his performance as he was replaced by Felix Kroos. Substitute Karim Onisiwo knocked in a cross to cut the deficit with nine minutes left. Sandro Schwarz's team threw everything at Union and Daniel Brosinski scored in the third minute of stoppage time. It created a slightly uncomfortable final 60 seconds for Union, but the derby winners stayed strong and ran out 3-2 winners in Mainz.
The Bundesliga takes a break for the international week, but Union will return in a fortnight to play Borussia Mönchengladbach at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei.
