Union Berlin – Mainz

Bundesliga Round 1
Berlin, August 20, 15:30 CET

Everything Union Berlin did this summer is proof of the club's progress at all levels. When in September the club from the capital of Germany plays in the Champions League for the first time, everyone in the club will be able to say - that they are ready for the European elite.
After the Champions League place was celebratoryly won in the last round of the previous Bundesliga season (victory over Werder at home), Union Berlin actively entered the transfer market and strengthened the team. Reinforcements like David Fofana, Robin Gosens and Diogo Leite guarantee the quality of the team that wants to fight for the very top in the years ahead.
In front of their fans, in the match against Mainz on Sunday in the first round of the Bundesliga, Union Berlin has a clear ambition to put on a spectacle and prove the strength of the team for the new season. However, the quality of the opponent Mainz guarantees, above all, that the audience in Berlin will see an open match between two teams, that see a chance for good result.
Both teams have won two in a row in all competitions. Mainz was not active in bringing in players during the summer, but they kept all the key faces and have the necessary experience to find the desired result in such difficult away games.
Last season, Union Berlin won 2:1 at home, in a match played at the beginning of February. Before that, in Berlin, the home team won against Mainz 3:1 – in February of last year. Union also has a triumph away from home 2:1 in the duel played in October 2021... There is a high probability, counting on the quality of individuals of both teams and the style of play that both teams cherish - that we will again see at least three goals in the match. This is a more likely outcome than a possible match in which both teams would score at least one goal each, since the quality of individuals in Union Berlin is now more pronounced compared to the opponent.
Union Berlin coach Urs Fischer will not count on an important reinforcement, Frenchman Lucas Tousart, who arrived from Hert. Tousart injured hamstring and is unlikely to make his Bundesliga debut for the new club until September. Rani Khedira will not play due to a calf issue. The problem in midfield is the absence of Andras Schafer, who is recovering from foot surgery. However, all this does not diminish the fact that the hosts are the favorites in this game.
Union Berlin will certainly perform in an attacking 3-4-3 formation, which will give the guests chances to threaten on the counter... Mainz will not count on Jonathan Burkardt, Silvan Widmer and Andreas Hanche-Olsen. This team will certainly focus on a more defensive approach and counterattacks - but in reality, more likely outcome is that we see at least one goal in the visitors' net in the first half.
Union Berlin is a special team in German football, with completely unique club culture, and for the first match of the Bundesliga season they will try to put on a spectacle in front of their fans - so it is easy to expect at least three goals in this game.