“He’s just an exceptional player” – Union Berlin’s Awoniyi lauds his favourite teammate

There’s a burgeoning partnership brewing between a German and a Nigerian in Berlin, with its productivity a source of delight for the former Liverpool man

Nigerian forward Taiwo Awoniyi scored his fifth goal of the season at the weekend and has applauded German playmaker Max Kruse for his crucial role in that fine scoring run.

Awoniyi has been in brilliant form since making his loan switch to Union Berlin permanent in the summer, consistently finding the back of the net in the Bundesliga and the Europa League.

The 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup winner has seemingly struck up a fantastic partnership with German attacker Kruse, with the 33-year-old providing the assists to two of Awoniyi’s three league goals so far.

The two forwards were at it again on Sunday in Union Berlin’s 2-1 triumph over Borussia Monchengladbach at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei.

With Urs Fischer’s men already one goal up courtesy of Gießelmann’s 22nd-minute header, the visitors poured forward for the equaliser.

But they were caught on the counter moments before halftime as Kruse and Awoniyi played a delicious one-two which left the opposing defenders drooling. Left on a one-on-one with Yann Sommer, Awoniyi rounded the goalkeeper before slotting the ball into the net.

And the Nigerian forward is pleased to be playing alongside the former Wolfsburg star.

“He’s just an exceptional player,” Awoniyi said of Kruse, as per the Hindustan Times.

“He has a lot of experience in the game. He knows everything he wants to do every time he has the ball.

“Once you play with him, he knows where you are, you know where he is, and I think this has helped me to learn a lot… it’s good for both of us at the moment.’

Awoniyi’s goals have helped Union Berlin remain unbeaten on the continent and the domestic scene this season.

The Iron Ones are through to the group stages of the Europa Conference League and are eighth on the Bundesliga table with five points in three games.