Union Berlin will definitely not make it to the round of 16 of the Champions League. Before the second leg in Braga, there are still several scenarios for an iron winter in Europe.
For three weeks it has already been certain that the 1. FC Union Berlin no longer has a chance of progressing in the Champions League. By the 1-1 draw in Naples The Iron Men got their first point in the club’s history in the premier class. The direct comparison with the Italian champions in October Won 1-0 in Berlin but was lost as a result and Union can no longer move past Naples and Real Madrid in the table.
Nevertheless, the Köpenickers still have a chance of overwintering on the European stage before the upcoming away game at Sporting Braga on Wednesday evening (9 p.m.). Union can still finish Group C in third place and thereby at least move into the UEFA Europa League. rbb|24 summarizes the calculation games.
Union’s new coach Nenad Bjelica relies on discipline
Nenad Bjelica will be the new head coach of 1. FC Union. Although he is still completely unknown as a coach in Germany, he appeared confident during his introduction. The Croatian relies on discipline and wants to play dominant football. By Till Oppermannmore
1) Union wins in Braga and against Madrid
The fact is: Union still has everything in its own hands. With victories in Braga and in the final group game against Real Madrid, the Iron Men would definitely move past Braga into third place.
Although it is the most difficult – and probably most unlikely – scenario in terms of sport to guarantee Köpenick’s overwintering in the Europa League, it is also the only one in which Union would not have to look at how Braga fares on the sixth and final matchday of the group phase in Naples beats.
2) Union wins in Braga and gets a point against Madrid
In the event that Union returns from Braga with three points and finally gets a point against Real Madrid in the Olympic Stadium, Braga should not get beyond a draw in Naples.
“It’s not an easy challenge to follow Urs Fischer”
Nenad Bjelica presents himself as self-confident and focused when he is introduced as coach of Union Berlin. The Croatian emphasized that he had experience in the relegation battle – and that he would also fight it successfully in Köpenick.more
3) Union beats Braga and loses to Madrid
Even a win in Braga alone could help the team new coach Nenad Bjelica are enough to qualify for the Europa League. In order to win a direct comparison with the Portuguese, Union Berlin should – after the 2:3 defeat in the first leg – the best way to win the duel at the Estadio Municipal de Braga is by two or more goals. In the event of a tie, the goal difference in the direct comparison is what matters first.
If the two teams are equal in this respect, the decision will be made in the order listed in accordance with UEFA regulations
1) the goal difference from all group games,
2) the number of goals scored in all group games,
3) the number of away goals scored in all group games,
4) the number of wins in the group stage,
5) the number of away wins in the group stage,
6) the fair play coefficient,
7) the UEFA coefficient.
Provided that 1. FC Union Berlin wins the direct comparison with Braga, the Iron Men could also cope with a defeat against Real Madrid – provided Braga again plays at most a draw in Naples.
4) Union and Braga split in a draw
If the Iron Men get “only” one point in Braga, the Portuguese would win the direct comparison. The Köpenick team would then have to get their first win in the premier class at the end of the group phase against Real Madrid. In that case, which would be nothing less than a sensation, Italian help would also be important: Braga is unlikely to score in Naples.
Broadcast: rbb24, November 28, 2023, 9:45 p.m
