Union Berlin welcomes FC Bayern Munich on Saturday. The German record champions are plowing through the current season so far and have won every game so far. Is Union now also going under the wheels? The “Iron” are brave.
- On Saturday afternoon (3:30 p.m.) Union Berlin welcomes FC Bayern Munich to the Alten Försterei stadium
- Union has yet to win against Munich in twelve matches (eight defeats, four draws)
- The duel is the dress rehearsal for that Another meeting in the DFB Cup round of 16 on December 3rd
Three facts about the game
- Fortress Alte Försterei: Union Berlin has only lost one of its six home games this season
- Opponents FC Bayern have so far won all of their 16 competitive games with a total goal difference of 56:11
- Bayern’s Vincent Kompany didn’t see a card in his 43 Bundesliga games as coach. Union’s Steffen Baumgart received 15 yellow cards in the Bundesliga alone
The sporting situation at FC Bayern
“It couldn’t actually be better. It’s almost absurd,” said Bayern blogger Andi Mailhamer from “Mia san rot” in a fitting way to summarize FC Bayern Munich’s sporting situation. Because what can you say when a club wins all of its first 16 competitive games and often dominates its opponents at will? The German record champions seem almost unfair for the Bundesliga at the moment.
In the Bundesliga, FC Bayern is at the top of the table after nine match days without losing any points. The championship already seems decided. Also because of the way the Munich team performs in the games. “The players love Vincent Kompany. This is also reflected in their willingness. FC Bayern is now one of the strongest teams in the Bundesliga.” explains blogger Mailhamer. “In addition to the individual quality of the players, there is also this absolute commitment.”
FC Bayern, under coach Kompany, combines individual world class with immense enthusiasm and excellent team chemistry. Or as Mailhamer says: “Everything is working at the moment.”
That moves the Bayern fans
And because the euphoria at FC Bayern doesn’t seem to be great enough yet, a homegrown player is now making Munich’s hearts beat faster. 17-year-old Lennart Karl has been playing at the club since 2022 and is currently experiencing his big breakthrough.
Karl is already playing very regularly for the professionals and has already contributed his first goals in the Bundesliga and Champions League. Mailhamer, who has been watching Karl closely in the U19s, says: “I thought it was only a matter of time before he not only scored goals in the Bundesliga but also the dream goals that he is currently scoring.”
Technique, wit, goal threat, pace – the attacking midfielder has everything to make a difference at the highest level and make the fans rejoice.
Union Berlin needs to pay particular attention to these players
This category traditionally cannot do without him: Harry Kane. The 32-year-old center forward seems to have gotten even better. In 21 competitive games so far he has scored a ridiculous 25 goals and four assists.
“He can hardly be put into words. After his move, I expected him to be very, very good, but I didn’t see this quality coming either,” says blogger Mailhamer euphorically. Especially since Kane doesn’t just shine as a goalscorer. “It’s not just his goals, but also how he plays and works. Everything seems to be working for him, you can’t stop him.”
The opponent expert
Andi Mailhamer is an author at “Mia san red“, the fan blog about FC Bayern Munich. With match reports, background stories, tactical formats and podcast talks, the team of around 15 authors analyzes the current situation at the record champions. Mailhamer is 34 years old and works as a journalist in Berlin.
That’s what the coaches say
Steffen Baumgart (Union Berlin): “This is one game out of 34. There is a chance to get three points. That’s what we want. We know that there are other teams where the chances might be a little higher. But why not approach the whole thing in such a way that we want to win this? In the end, you’re trying to find solutions for a team that hardly allows any solutions.”
Vincent Kompany (FC Bayern): The press conference will not take place until Friday.
This is how Union could play
According to coach Steffen Baumgart, Union can only solve the task at hand as a collective. “With a high degree of aggression, but not towards the man, but towards the ball. By making sure that you bring your strengths onto the field against a team that has many, many strengths and really stick to yourself until the end.”
One of its own strengths is the speed at the forefront. It is quite likely that coach Baumgart will rely on Oliver Burke’s speed to hurt the high-ranking Bayern. Haberer is expected to replace captain Christopher Trimmel, who has been suspended, as right-back, even if Josip Juranovic returns to the squad, according to Baumgart. On the other hand, Tom Rothe could be preferred over Derrick Köhn due to his defensive qualities.
In addition to Trimmel, Robert Skov and Livan Burcu will still be missing. Ilyas Ansah, however, reported fit in time and is an option.
The possible starting eleven for the “Irons”: Rönnow – Querfeld, Doekhi, Leite – Haberer, Kemlein, Schäfer, Khedira, Rothe – Burke, Skarke
The forecast
The opponent expert’s tip: “Due to the many difficult games, I expect that Kompany will rotate a lot and that it could be tough against Union at the beginning. But without wanting to attract the hatred of the Union team: I hardly see a chance for Berlin. It will be a clear thing – 3-0 for Bayern.”
Editor’s tip: Well, how should you bet against FC Bayern, who have won every one of their 16 (!) competitive games so far and have always dominated in an almost grotesque way? Union Berlin will also fall victim to the record champions, but will make it difficult for them due to their own defensive strengths and will suffer a respectable 2-0 defeat.
Broadcast: rbb Der Tag, November 5th, 2025, 6 p.m
