For a professional realist, Urs Fischer is surprisingly optimistic before 1. FC Union Berlin’s first Champions League home game. Because the Köpenickers have almost the entire Olympic Stadium behind them against Sporting Braga.
Five facts about the game
- Union Berlin is expecting 73,345 home fans in the Olympic Stadium
- Around 250 fans from Braga are expected to travel with them
- Union Berlin and Sporting Braga both lost their first group game
- In the last meeting in the Europa League, both teams won 1-0 at home
1. FC Union Berlin – Sporting Braga
Union Berlin will play its Champions League home premiere on Tuesday in front of around 73,000 spectators in the Olympic Stadium. The Köpenickers are hoping for a turnaround against Braga: You can hear live here whether they can score again after five defeats in a row. Comment: Stephanie Baczyk and Jakob Rügermore
That’s what moves Union
Just before the first Champions League home game (kick-off at 6:45 p.m., live and in full on rbb24 Inforadio), 1. FC Union Berlin is in a slump. For the first time in Urs Fischer’s tenure, the team lost five competitive games in a row. Robin Gosens scored the only goal in September 1:2 defeat in Wolfsburg. “I wasn’t that euphoric during the five years and I won’t be sad to death in this phase when things aren’t going well,” said the coach about the situation. It is still important to remain positive: “This is a prerequisite for getting out of this negative spiral.”
Robin Knoche and Rani Khedira, who are sidelined with injuries, are missing from the build-up game. Without the two players, there were recent insecurities in the defense, which didn’t communicate enough with each other. The newcomers in particular have to prove that they work together. This is made more difficult by Köpenick’s busy schedule, which currently doesn’t allow for as many joint training sessions. “We at least tried to regenerate as best we could,” said Fischer.
Regardless, the team can look forward to loud support in the Olympic Stadium. The alternative venue does not offer the familiarity of the An der Alten Försterei stadium, but it does offer significantly more space. That could be an advantage at the current low. Fischer emphasized in the press conference on Monday: “We need this 12th man.” A total of 73,345 fans will cheer on Union.
Union’s Champions League opponent Braga relies on attack
Union’s next opponent in the Champions League represents offensive football. Sporting Braga relies on always scoring one more goal than their opponent. An ex-Bundesliga player is in focus. By Till Oppermannmore
The opponent check
Significantly fewer fans are expected from Braga. The club only called up 500 tickets from its quota and has sold 250 of them so far. Vocally, the club is clearly in the minority. At the start of the group phase, the supporters of the Portuguese first division team saw a 1-2 defeat against Naples. So the underdogs of Group C meet.
Braga could take advantage of Union’s weakened offensive. After all, Braga is the one Portugal’s best offensive visits Berlin. So far this season, Sporting Braga leads the league with 18 goals. At the same time, Artur Jorge’s team also conceded 13 goals. As long as the result is right, the Portuguese don’t care. “I’m not talking about goals conceded, just results,” said Jorge.
That’s what Urs Fischer says
Urs Fischer: “The most important thing is to remember the basics: to do the simple things right. […] We have to be more compact than we have shown in the last few games. We have to be more efficient. When you work hard for so many opportunities, you have to reward yourself.”
This is how Union could play
Without the injured Robin Knoche, Leonardo Bonucci will probably be in the starting line-up again. Urs Fischer also announced a returnee: “Volland is again an alternative for the squad.” The last three league games the center forward missed with a red card and played 24 minutes at Real Madrid.
Union lacks self-confidence and concentration
After five defeats in a row, the Unioners are puzzling over the reasons for the weak period. 1. FC Union also had many chances in Heidenheim. The team’s problems are mental. By Till Oppermann more
Unlike in Heidenheim, Fischer will probably again rely on two spikes instead of three. For David Fofana that could mean a place on the bench. Despite Khedira’s absence, Fischer has plenty to offer in midfield. Lucas Tousart could also be used there.
Union’s possible starting eleven: Rönnow – Doekhi, Bonucci, Leite – Juranovic, Kral, Gosens – Laidouni, Haberer – Becker, Behrens
Prognosis
If something can work for Union Berlin against one of the opponents in Group C, it will be against Braga. And who can better help a team out of a slump than a stadium that is almost 100 percent full of its own fans? “It’s fantastic to have the support of our fans, especially in the current situation. We’re not playing in our stadium, but that’s what the fans are there for and that’s what’s most important to us,” said Diogo Leite.
