Just as the compact defense of 1. FC Union had slowed Leipzig down again and again on Saturday evening, their coach quickly intervened verbally when the praise became too much for him. Of course, Sheraldo Becker and Jordan Siebatcheu Pefok did well in attack, said Fischer about his strike duo, who had excellently set up the two goals in the 2-1 win over Rasenballsport Leipzig. “But it still needs nine others to do the dirty work so that the two can be celebrated,” said the Swiss.
This comment, however, was not entirely correct. Because Union football only works so well because the strikers are not above doing the dirty work. Shortly after his opening goal, Siebatcheu cleared a Leipzig shot at his own six-yard box and Becker repeatedly attacked the opponent in the build-up.
As usual, Fischer tried very hard not to let the jubilation get out of hand, but had a hard time after the fourth Bundesliga win against cup winners Leipzig. Seven points after three games, Union has never started so well. Over the seasons, the Berliners have not lost ten league games and won eight of them. On Saturday evening they were only missing a measly goal for the championship lead. “It would be nice if it were over now, but we’re on the third day of the game,” said Fischer. “That’s a nice snapshot.”
This also applies to the excellent condition of Becker and Siebatcheu, who was honored as the top scorer in the Swiss league shortly before kick-off. “Two goals after three games – that’s not so bad,” said defender Robin Knoche about the new strike duo. Christopher Trimmel was particularly impressed by the quick integration of Siebatcheu, who only moved from Young Boys Bern to Köpenick in the summer. “It is not a matter of course to fit in as a newcomer,” said the Union captain. Nobody expected that. Nobody at Union is currently talking about Taiwo Awoniyi, who moved to England for the record transfer fee of more than 20 million euros.
Against Leipzig, the Berliners almost completely gave up possession of the ball, shifted in a disciplined manner and switched over at lightning speed after the opponent made mistakes. “Our plan worked out well,” said Knoche. Before the 1-0, Janik Haberer, another one of those newcomers who integrated surprisingly quickly, played an excellent pass to Becker, who put it through to Siebatcheu. The US national player with French roots showed that he not only has the right shot in the penalty area, but also has a decent pace.
The strong Andras Schäfer initiated the 2:0, Siebatcheu sent Becker steeply with a direct pass from the center line and the national player from Suriname showed his individual class in the penalty area. In his first year at Union, Becker repeatedly found himself in promising situations due to his enormous speed, but ruined them with improper ball handling or hecticness.
He is now one of the most dangerous offensive players in the league. He has managed at least one goal and one assist in five games this calendar year. In Europe’s top leagues, only Paris St. Germain’s world champion Kylian Mbappé can show that. “I also often play against Sheraldo in training and it’s incredibly difficult to defend against such a speed one-on-one,” said Trimmel.
Four competitive games are a rather thin basis for in-depth analysis, but first impressions strongly suggest that Oliver Ruhnert has found a striker in Siebatcheu who fits well with Berlin football. With his header power, he brings back an element to the offensive that has largely been missing since the departure of Sebastian Andersson. In addition, there is an enormous finishing quality with the first contact and solid ball processing. “After a week or two you could tell that he had a lot going for him,” said Trimmel. But the euphoria was also a little too much for the captain. “Jordy will also have phases when things don’t go that way.”
In any case, the season for the Berliners will only really get going in a few weeks. The group stage of the Europa League will be drawn next Friday, and the first international game is scheduled for September 8th. After that, at least until the beginning of the World Cup break in November, there will be almost only English weeks for Union. With this load, the duo Becker/Siebatcheu, which is so successful at the moment, will occasionally need a break. Bone doesn’t worry about that, though. “We have become more variable and have many options with the size of our squad,” said the defender.
