Analysis of the game in Mainz – Union Berlin is not happy with much
IMAGO/eu-images
Video: Sports Show | 02/08/2024 | Stefan Kersthold | Image: IMAGO/eu-images
Union is satisfied after a point in the away game in Mainz. There would have been more possible in the relegation duel. On a rainy and deep pitch, the team lacked a plan B. By Till Oppermann
No, 1. FC Union Berlin’s away game in Mainz on Wednesday had little to do with Bundesliga football, as the DFL imagines it as a marketing product. Two limited soccer teams played dozens of long balls in front of half-empty stands. The two goals came within a few minutes as both teams defended inattentively. In an XXL stoppage time, which the Union players who had traveled with them had forced through their protest against the DFL investor deal. The Frankfurt headquarters of the league association were probably happy to have played this catch-up game on a Wednesday evening at 6:30 p.m. Not exactly in prime time.
Muddy pitches make playing football difficult
Especially since the conditions prevented a really good football game: after persistent rain, the game took place on a field that had more in common with a paddling pool than a football field. Normal passes sometimes simply fell through after a few meters.
“You saw the pitch: it was impossible to play football on it today,” complained Mainz midfielder Nadiem Amiri. “You could tell during the warm-up that the pitch was very deep,” added Union assistant coach Marie-Louise Eta. Things didn’t get any better in the game: rubber boots, hiking boots or barefoot. All of this would have provided a better footing than football boots.
In the beginning, Union’s plan works
Nevertheless, Eta had a lot of praise for her players. The team tried to play football, she said, adding: “We performed bravely.” In fact, the Unioners were in the game in Mainz from the start. With the double leadership of Kevin Volland (1.79m) and Benedict Hollerbach (1.81m) it was clear: high balls would not lead to success for the Köpenick team. Instead, they tried flat across the wings.
In the first few minutes, the Unioners repeatedly looked for a direct pass into midfield and then used the wing players Robin Gosens and Janik Haberer. This is roughly how coach Nenad Bjelica, who was suspended for the last time in Mainz, outlined his attacking game in his very first press conference at Union. Kevin Volland’s hit on the crossbar after Haberer’s cross in the 12th minute showed: This is how it could work with the goal threat in the final third that Union is looking for so much this season.
No taker for long balls
The ground contributed the subjunctive in this sentence: the deeper the pitch, the harder it became to accelerate the game with flat, direct passes after winning the ball. From the 15th minute at the latest, Union lacked a plan B. High balls kept sailing into Mainz’s half. But the robust defenders of Rheinhessen had no problem securing this against Volland and Hollerbach. The Berliners’ well-organized counter-pressing didn’t help much.
“A Kingdom for Kevin Behrens” would have been Shakespeare’s Richard III. could call if he were a Unioner. Behren’s body and the talent of the angular winter finisher to use it were missing from Union in Mainz. Long balls are no longer a profitable option for the team after his departure – at least not until winter newcomer Chris Bedia gets used to German football. At 1.90 meters he is even a bit taller than Behrens – so far he has only been able to show this when his team was already behind in Munich and Leipzig.
Unioner satisfied with little
“I’m fine with the point,” said goalscorer Robin Gosens after the game. “We said to ourselves beforehand that we didn’t want to lose and we did that.” In fact, the draw in the relegation battle is worth more than a point – a defeat would have seen Mainz move within three points of Union. Looking at it another way: With a win, the Eisernen would have moved 1. FC Köln away from the relegation zone to five points and Mainz from the direct relegation zone to nine points. Especially since Union had good chances to win with two aluminum goals from Kevin Volland and a one-on-one situation from Yorbe Vertessen.
Union’s Kevin Volland is angry after a missed opportunity. | Image: IMAGO/HMB Media
Gosens would have been better off showing a little more frustration over this missed opportunity. Especially since his communication is in line with that of his teammates. Although Union conceded their third set-piece goal in a row in Mainz, Rani Khedira did not want to see this as a problem for the team. Ultimately, Union defended Mainz’s other attempts very well, said Khedira.
Head coach Bjelica returns
It is not quiet right. Even when Robin Knoche hit Mainz’s Ludovic Ajorque in the face with his foot while trying to clear the ball in the first half and was only lucky to avoid a penalty, a corner had previously flown into the penalty area.
It is up to coach Neand Bjelica to convey to his players that the minimum will not be enough in the relegation battle. He returns to the Union bench on Saturday against Wolfsburg after his suspension. Then the goal for Gosens is clear: “We definitely need the three points at the Alte Försterei.”
Broadcast: Antenne Brandenburg, February 8, 2024, 8:15 a.m