Oliver Burke and Josip Juranovic struck late to seal a 3-1 win for Union Berlin over Mainz on Matchday 33 as Marie-Louise Eta took her first win as interim coach.
Mainz 1-3 Union Berlin
Goals: 1-0 Ilić 38′ (assist: Kemlein), 1-1 Becker 48′ (assist: fog), 1-2 Burke 88′ (assist: Ilić), 1-3 Juranovic 90’+1 (assist: Skarke)
Matchday 33 brought a fascinating clash between Mainz and Union Berlin at the MEWA Arena in Mainz. Mainz, already safe from relegation after securing their Bundesliga status the previous weekend, were looking to end the season on a high.
Union Berlin, managed by interim head coach Marie-Louise Eta, arrived having picked up their first point under her stewardship in a 2-2 draw with Cologne on Matchday 32.
Union dominate the opening exchanges
Union Berlin started the brighter of the two sides, pressing high and causing problems for the Mainz backline. Burke was lively down the right flank, and in the third minute, Aljoscha Kemlein fired wide after the Scottish attacker’s cross found him at the edge of the box. In the ninth minute, Robin Zentner produced a fine reflex save to deny Andrej Ilić from a Christopher Trimmel corner, clawing the header away brilliantly.
Ilić breaks the deadlock
After a period of sustained Mainz pressure in the mid-to-late stages of the first half, Union struck against the run of play in the 38th minute. A short corner routine saw the ball worked out to Kemlein on the edge of the box, who swung a teasing cross towards the far post. Ilić got there ahead of the stranded Zentner and headed the ball into an empty net to give Union the lead with a well-worked goal.
In the extended first-half stoppage time — nine additional minutes were added — both goalkeepers were called into action. Carl Klaus denied Kaishu Sano with a fine save, while Zentner kept out Livan Burcu at the near post. The half ended 0-1 to Union Berlin.
Becker levels for Mainz
Mainz came out of the blocks quickly in the second half and were level within three minutes of the restart. Paul Nebel found space down the right flank and floated a delicious cross into the Union box. Sheraldo Becker — playing against his former club — ran in behind the Union defence and guided the ball into the corner of the net from close range, making it 1-1.
It was a dream start to the second period for Urs Fischer’s side. Mainz then pushed for a second, with Klaus producing a superb save to deny Potulski from a free kick in the 52nd minute. In the 58th minute, Phillip Tietz thought he had scored a spectacular overhead kick to put Mainz ahead, but the goal was ruled out for offside after a VAR review.
Union respond with triple change
Mainz continued to press, and Becker spurned a good headed chance in the 65th minute after being picked out by a Mwene cross.
In the 84th minute, Ilić rattled the crossbar from range after being set up by Aljoscha Kemlein, in a reminder that Union remained dangerous on the counter.
With Mainz pushing for a winner, Union struck twice in the closing minutes to seal a stunning victory. In the 88th minute, Derrick Köhn delivered a long cross to the far post. Ilić laid the ball off for Burke, who received it with his back to goal, turned sharply and fired the ball under the crossbar to make it 2-1.
Then, in the first minute of stoppage time, Mainz were caught out as they pushed forward. Kemlein won the ball and played Skarke in behind the Mainz backline. Tim Skarke rounded Zentner and squared the ball for the freshly introduced Josip Juranovic, who tapped into an empty net to make it 3-1. The final whistle confirmed a dramatic Union Berlin victory.
Man of the Match: Andrej Ilić
Ilić was voted Man of the Match with 36 per cent of the votes. The Union Berlin striker opened the scoring with a well-taken header in the 38th minute, assisted by Kemlein. He also struck the crossbar in the 84th minute and provided the assist for Burke’s decisive second goal. Ilić was a constant threat throughout the match, finishing with the highest fantasy manager points total among the away side (302 points).
Bundesliga Match Facts
xGoals: Mainz 1.79 – Union Berlin 2.22
Fastest player: Oliver Burke (Union), 35.39 km/h
Lowest goal probability: 1-1 by Sheraldo Becker (Mainz), 44 per cent
Most pressed player: Phillipp Mwene (Mainz), 18 times under pressure
Pass efficiency: Anthony Caci (Mainz), +3.71
Fantasy Heroes: Robin Zentner (Mainz, 304 points), Andrej Ilić (Union, 302 points), Oliver Burke (Union, 246 points)
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