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.
Brown’s excellent first-half concluded with the right-back scoring the goal that reduced the deficit for Frankfurt. His shot from outside the box evaded everyone, including Uzun, as the hosts were rewarded for their relentless attacking performance.
No changes have been made by either coach at the start of the second-half. Frankfurt hoped for a good start, but the two-goal deficit was restored with another linkup play by Union’s fantastic trio. Ansah’s trickery and Ilic’s first-time delivery helped Burke to guide home his second goal of the match.
A minute later, Burke completed his hat-trick with the best of the bunch. The Scotsman was played by Ilic once again before his cheeky finish to make it 4-1 for the visitors in the 55th minute. Burke became the first Union Berlin player to score a hat-trick away from home in Bundesliga. Ilic assisted all four goals in a special night for the Serbian striker.
Dino Toppmöller responded with triple changes as he introduced Burkardt and Ansgar Knauff, who were both on target in the Champions League opener. Michy Batshuayi was next to get his chance as he replaced the ineffective Wahi.