Second-half Union Berlin fightback denies Mainz on Urs Fischer's return

Former Union Berlin boss Urs Fischer had to settle for a point on his return to the Stadion an der Alten Försterei as Die Eisernen recovered from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with Mainz.

Union Berlin 2-2 Mainz
Goals: 0-1 Amiri 30’ (assist: Lee), 0-2 Hollerbach 69’ (assist: Veratschnig), 1-2 Jeong 77’ (assist: Köhn), 2-2 Ljubicić 86’

Having guided Union into the Bundesliga and even to the UEFA Champions League during his five-year stint in the capital, Fischer departed in November 2023 before taking over at Mainz last month.

The Swiss coach had started his tenure with an encouraging four-match unbeaten run in all competitions, offering hope to the relegation-threatened side ahead of their trip to Berlin.

Steffen Baumgart's charges, however, had won their final two games of 2025 - including an impressive 3-1 victory over high-flying RB Leipzig - and knew that victory here would lift them to within touching distance of the Bundesliga's European places.

Nadiem Amiri's well-struck volley was the difference between the two teams at the interval. - IMAGO/Matthias Koch

Union started the match with real intent but failed to make their early pressure count. Danilho Doekhi rose highest from an early cross but couldn't direct his header on target, while Livan Burcu missed a golden opportunity in the sixth minute after good work from Rani Khedira.

Mainz gradually grew into the contest, though, with January signing Phillip Tietz - who was making his first start for the club after joining from Augsburg - heading straight at Frederik Rønnow from a Jae-sung Lee cross.

Lee, however, was heavily involved in Mainz's opener on the half-hour mark, picking out Nadiem Amiri who controlled the ball expertly before rifling a left-footed shot beyond Rønnow to give the visitors the lead. Union pushed for an equaliser before the break, but neither Oliver Burke nor Burcu could find a way past Daniel Batz.

Wooyeong Jeong reduced the arrears for Union after Benedict Hollerbach had doubled Mainz's lead. - Maja Hitij

About the players

10

Nadiem

Amiri

1. FSV Mainz 05

The second half followed a similar pattern to the first, with Union dominating possession but struggling to create clear-cut chances. Mainz continued to pose a threat on the counter-attack, though, and doubled their lead in the 69th minute, Nikolas Veratschnig sending a low ball across the face of goal for Benedict Hollerbach to slot home.

Former Union striker Hollerbach nearly made it 3-0 when he crashed a shot against the crossbar minutes later, but Wooyeong Jeong headed home Derrick Köhn's cross to give Union hope with a little under 15 minutes of normal time left to play.

Substitute András Schäfer then struck the woodwork from distance after catching Batz off his line, but Marin Ljubicic - another late substitute for Diogo Leite - salvaged a point for the hosts after Doekhi's header from Köhn's delivery had crashed off the underside of the bar.

Watch: Fischer given warm welcome on return 

Man of the Match: Nadiem Amiri

Amiri was the standout performer at the Stadion an der Alten Försterei. A moment of individual brilliance from the midfielder gave Mainz a deserved first-half lead, his magnificent control and volley leaving Rønnow stranded.

As well as pulling the strings for the visitors in midfield, Amiri worked incredibly hard defensively before his 78th-minute substitution. Unfortunately for Mainz, his performance was not enough to earn them all three points.

Bundesliga Match Facts
xGoals: Union Berlin 2.37 - Mainz 05 1.13
Fastest player: Oliver Burke (Union Berlin), 33.58 km/h
Lowest goal probability: 2-2 by Marin Ljubicic (Union), 12.69 per cent
Most pressed player: Phillip Tietz (Mainz), 16 times under pressure
Pass efficiency: Nadiem Amiri (Mainz), 0.76

Fantasy Heroes: Benedict Hollerbach (Mainz, 324 Points), Derrick Köhn (Union Berlin, 302 Points), Nadiem Amiri (Mainz, 249 Points)

About the clubs

Union Berlin

An der Alten Försterei

Mainz

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