Kevin Behrens gave 1. FC Union Berlin a perfect start to the season with three goals per head on the debut of newcomers Robin Gosens and Kevin Volland. With his early goals (1st/9th minute) and the reassuring third goal (70th) on Sunday, the center forward ensured the 4-1 (2-0) victory of the ” Iron” against FSV Mainz 05.
Rönnow (62nd) parried a penalty kick from Ludovic Ajorque in front of 22,012 spectators in the sold-out stadium at the Alte Försterei, shortly afterwards Anthony Caci (64th) raised hope with his goal again in the overall disappointing Rheinhessen. But then Behrens struck a third time. Curious: Rönnow then saved Ajorque’s second penalty (88′). Milos Pantovic scored the final point in the sixth minute of added time.
The system is always more important than any name, no matter how prominent. Coach Urs Fischer made this basic attitude of Union Berlin clear. Gosens and Volland sat on the bench. According to the succinct explanation, it was not enough for the national players to start after five or three days in Berlin-Köpenick. When he came on as a substitute in the 66th minute, Gosens was greeted euphorically by Inter Milan and sprinted energetically onto the pitch. Volland was allowed to enjoy the special atmosphere for a few minutes later as a joker (88th).
Naive and harmless people from Mainz
Top scorer Sheraldo Becker also had to watch initially – an indication of an impending farewell. David Dotro Fofana and Behrens got the free attacking positions in the firmly rehearsed 3-3-2-2 system. Why didn’t it have to be questioned for a long time.
On his debut, Brenden Aaronson put a hoe on Jérôme Roussillon’s first attack, and Behrens headed in his cross after 52 seconds for the fastest goal in Union Bundesliga history. Shortly afterwards, different side, but same principle. A cross from Aissa Laidouni and Behrens, as a typical centre-forward, was again the lord of the air. National coach Hansi Flick is expected in the Alte Försterei anyway because of Gosens and Volland, maybe he’ll also take a look at Behrens.
Mainz played so naively and harmlessly, as if they had never learned the lesson at the Alte Försterei in the past four seasons that nothing can be gained there without adequate robustness. It could have been even worse. Fofana artfully circled a free kick to the crossbar (33′). 05 goalkeeper Robin Zentner (45′ + 2′) deflected a flick from Diogo Leite just over the goal.
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In the second half, Behrens (51st) had the first chance with a header. The game only really picked up speed again when Leite carelessly brought down substitute Brajan Gruda (60′). However, Rönnow parried the poorly scored penalty by Ajorque. Caci did better with his direct acceptance. Union didn’t even tremble, because Behrens was back shortly afterwards and made his first league hat-trick perfect before the hectic final phase with another Mainz penalty.
