Mainz coach Urs Fischer missed out on an important victory in the Bundesliga at his old place of work at 1. FC Union Berlin. Bottom team 1. FSV Mainz 05 were initially ice cold in front of the goal, but Union’s energetic performance in the final phase secured Berlin a draw.
On Saturday the “Eisernen” and Mainz drew 2:2 (0:1). Nadiem Amiri (30th minute) and ex-Union player Benedict Hollerbach (69th) scored for Rheinhessen. Woo-yeong Jeong (77th) and Marin Ljubicic (86th) scored the Berlin goals.
When asked whether he should be congratulated on winning the point or whether he should be pitied, Union coach Steffen Baumgart said: “Because of how things went, this is a point win for us. Against such an opponent the game is usually over after 0:2 and that’s why I’m happy and we’re happy to take the 2:2 with us.”
For Urs Fischer, a former Union coach who has been on the sidelines for Mainz for over a month, the game also had clear psychological reasons: “We played well and lead 2-0. Then you get the 2:1 and then you can’t become passive. Of course, the table situation also comes into play, and the boys notice that too.”
The point doesn’t really help Mainz – the 05ers, as bottom of the table with nine points, are still in acute danger of relegation. It was the third draw in the third game under Fischer. Union slipped to ninth place with 22 points.
Mainz entry Tietz presents himself with commitment
The initial phase wasn’t particularly high-quality play due to the spongy ground in cold, wet weather, but it was entertaining. Berlin’s Livan Burcu missed the lead and his shot from the back went just wide (6′). Rani Khedira had previously beaten Kaishu Sano in a duel.
Mainz made an appearance primarily through new signing Philipp Tietz, who was brought in from FC Augsburg during the current winter break. His teammates kept looking for him with crosses from the half field. Tietz also put one of them on goal, but Union goalkeeper Frederik Rönnow caught the ball without any problems (7th). Tietz fought many duels and threw himself into it.
Lee’s stroke of genius cracks Union’s defense
But then it wasn’t Tietz, but a veteran from Mainz who shot the guests into the lead with their first big chance. This was thanks to Jae-sung Lee’s first assist of the season. The South Korean played a brilliant interface pass to Amiri. This initially had acceptance difficulties – but only at first glance. He sank the bouncing ball into the net with a side kick.
Union also showed a few promising approaches, but the game wasn’t really dangerous. After a corner kick, Burke, who was somewhat surprised, stumbled in the commotion and put the ball into the goal (43′). Shortly before the half-time whistle, Burcu tested FSV goalkeeper Daniel Batz with a shot. Batz parried and Oliver Burke put the follow-up shot over (44′).
Ex-Unioner Hollerbach increases to 2-0 for Mainz
After the restart, Union stepped on the accelerator a little and attacked more energetically. Burke put the Mainz goalkeeper Batz under pressure with a back pass and even got to the ball, but Batz’s shot just got through – luck for the Rheinhessen. Berlin also made a better impression in the attacking third with chances for Burke (60th, 64th) and Khedira (64th).
But contrary to Berlin’s efforts, it was the Mainz team who cheered again. A former Union player scored: Hollerbach scored his first goal for Mainz after 16 Bundesliga games. Lee had played the penultimate pass, crossing Nikolas Veratschnig. Hollerbach didn’t celebrate out of respect, but turned up the heat in a playful way: Shortly afterwards he hit the crossbar with another shot (72′).
A show of strength helps Union get one more point
As much luck as Union had in this phase, Mainz was clumsy in defending their lead. Because after Joker Jeong’s brilliant header, which was perfectly directed by Derrick Köhn, FSV goalkeeper Batz made a mistake. Andras Schäfer lofted the ball onto the crossbar from around 25 meters, Andrej Ilic missed the empty goal on the follow-up shot (79′).
In the final phase, Union acted like a substitute and pushed full steam ahead for the equalizer. Salvation came with a standard. Danilho Doekhi headed the ball onto the bottom edge of the crossbar, from where it bounced to Ljubicic, who followed up with the ball behind the line.
Benedict Hollerbach was after the game “extremely served“The Mainz team had imagined the start of the Bundesliga to the new year differently.”It would have been incredibly important for us. But in the end you just have to put it aside again. There’s no point in thinking about it, even if it hurts extremely.“
Union in Augsburg, Mainz welcomes Heidenheim
After the winter break there is an English week in the Bundesliga. 1. FC Union Berlin visits FC Augsburg on Thursday (8:30 p.m.). Mainz welcomes 1. FC Heidenheim on Tuesday (8.30 p.m.).