Randal Kolo Muani carried Eintracht Frankfurt on Sunday for the first day of the Bundesliga, scoring the winning goal against promoted Darmstadt (1-0), while Kevin Behrens scored a hat-trick for the display of Union Berlin against Mainz (4-1).
The Berliners of Urs Fischer settle in 3rd place behind Stuttgart and Bayern, in a rather anecdotal ranking after a first day, very prolific with 36 goals or almost four per game. Thursday at a press conference, the sporting director of Frankfurt Markus Krösche had been clear: Eintracht has the cards in hand while Randal Kolo Muani is the target of the biggest European clubs, in particular Paris SG.
Established at the forefront of the attack, the French vice-world champion was once again elusive, and was rewarded in the 40th minute. After two or three calls in the back of the defense of Darmstadt, “RKM” managed to break free on the reception of a cross from Philipp Max and pushed the ball into the empty goal.
Frankfurt then held, despite attempts from Darmstadt, including a post from Luca Pfeiffer (66th).
Big surprise from the previous season with a fourth place in the final in the Bundesliga, Union Berlin for its part largely dominated Mainz, thanks to a hat-trick from striker Kevin Behrens. The Alte Försterei were perhaps more expecting another Kevin, Volland, who signed in the German capital three days ago from Monaco.
But the German international (15 caps) started on the bench, and it was Kevin Behrens who proved decisive, first by opening the scoring after just 52 seconds, then doubling the lead in the 9th minute. (2-0). In the second half, he breathed new life into his team in the 70th minute (3-1). Coming in the summer of 2021, Behrens took the best of a header in each of his three goals on the Mainz defence.
Milos Pantovic concluded the Berlin offensive festival at the last second (90th 6). Anthony Caci revived the suspense for Mainz with a fine volley in the 64th minute. Ludovic Ajorque, his former teammate in Strasbourg, missed two penalties about twenty minutes apart.
With their fourth place last year behind Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig, the Union, which was still playing in the 2nd division in the spring of 2019, secured a place for the group stage of the Champions League. .
