Fantastic trio help Union to an emphatic win over hosts Frankfurt

Both teams lost in the Bundesliga last time out, but the hosts were in great spirits after marking their return to the Champions League with a 5-1 win over tournament regulars Galatasaray. The electric atmosphere in Waldstadion caused a little delay at the start of the game.

After the restart, Nathaniel Brown had the first chance of the game. Frederik Rønnow made an unorthodox save to block the long-range effort. On the other end, the returnee Kaua Santos wasn’t able to save a similar chance from one of Bundesliga’s in-form players.

Ilyes Ansah had a spectacular start to life in the Bundesliga, and he scored his fourth goal with a measured finish from outside the box. Oliver Burke hit the side netting moments later as Steffen Baumgart’s side poised to win in Frankfurt for the second season running.

The next chance also came from distance when Rønnow dealt with Farès Chaïbi’s shot in the 15th minute. Can Uzun was the next to test Union’s goalkeeper from a relatively closer range.

There was another delay when Frankfurt fans threw objects in the direction of Christopher Trimmel when Union’s captain prepared to take a corner-kick at the half-hour mark. Shortly after, the visitors extended their lead.

A fast counter-attack involved Union’s three attackers. Ansah and Andrej Ilić quickly progressed the ball to the final third, where Burke capitalized with a superb finish to score his first goal for his new club.

Ritsu Doan also called Rønnow into action, but it wasn’t a clear-cut chance once again. Elye Wahi, who started in place of Jonathan Burkardt, came the closest for the hosts when his attempt from Brown’s delivery slightly missed the target.