Even before the last Europa League group game at Saint-Gilles, one thing is certain: 1. FC Union will also play in Europe in 2023. But that’s where the certainties end. Which result leads to which competition – and who could be waiting there.
A warning in advance: Attention, this post contains arithmetic games. Because before the last group game of 1. FC Union in the Europa League, football arithmetic is en vogue. Can the Köpenickers – even challenged at Royale Union Saint-Gilloise (Thursday, 9 p.m.) – make it into the intermediate round of the second highest European competition and can they hope for games against Barcelona? Or do they have to make do with the Conference League? A look at the constellation in Group D – and what could follow from it.
1st place – already taken
That’s for sure: 1. FC Union can no longer be first in Group D. The undefeated Royale Union Saint-Gilloise are enthroned in this place with a four-point lead. Regardless of the results of the last matchday and quite surprisingly, the Belgians will move straight into the round of 16 of the Europa League.
2nd place – the iron target
2nd place leads to the Europa League intermediate round. It says Union is up to date – and the mission is: make sure to secure! After two 1-0 defeats at the start of the group phase, the minimalists from Köpenick fought hard for the chance to survive the winter in Europe’s second-highest competition with three 1-0 wins.
One thing is certain: If 1. FC Union inflicts the first defeat on its Belgian namesake, the iron place two in Group D cannot be taken away. On the other hand, if they draw or even lose, the pursuer Braga cannot win (see 3rd place).
If Union remains second in the table – on its own or through Portuguese intervention – the Köpenickers will meet third in the eight Champions League groups in the playoffs for the knockout phase of the Europa League. Well-known opponents then beckon in the fight for the round of 16: Ajax Amsterdam, FC Barcelona, FC Sevilla and Sporting Lisbon have already been identified as possible opponents. Leverkusen are also among the third, but according to the Uefa regulations, two representatives of a country cannot meet in the intermediate round.
In the groups E, F and H of the premier class, however, the decision has not yet been made. The other third parties are currently: RB Salzburg, Shakhtar Donetsk and Juventus Turin. The first and second leg will be played on February 16 and 23, 2023. The draw for the matches will take place on November 7 at 1 p.m.
“We can do good things with the radiance and our responsibility”
Kay Bernstein has been President of Hertha BSC for a good four months. A breath of fresh air can already be felt among the Berliners. In an interview, Bernstein explains how he experienced the first few weeks, what Hertha means for Berlin and where he wants to go with the club. The rbb television broadcasts the film “Our club: ‘Ha, Ho, He! Hertha BSC!'” on Tuesday at 8:15 p.m.more
3rd place – Europe, but one class below
If the Köpenickers don’t get three points in Belgium, it gets hairy – as described – and there is a risk of slipping into the intermediate round of the Conference League. Because Braga lurks only two points behind the team of coach Urs Fischer. The Portuguese play Malmö FF at home.
The prerequisite for Braga to be able to push Union out of second place: The current second in the Primeira Liga must win themselves. With that, the Portuguese would jump to ten points. If the Köpenickers lost in Belgium, they would have nine points and the situation in the table would be clear.
The situation would be a little more complex if the Irons were tied. Then both clubs would have ten points in the account. They are also level in a direct comparison (0:1, 1:0). However, the arithmetic game would turn out to the detriment of the Berliners. The Uefa uses the goal difference as the next criterion. The clubs are currently not giving each other (plus 1). A draw at Saint-Gilles would keep that value unchanged for Union, while a win against Malmo would improve it for Braga.
In the playoffs for the knockout round of the Conference League, Union, third in the Europa League, would meet a group runner-up in the Conference League. Who that will be is still unclear in all eight groups. Currently in second place are: Silkeborg IF, Lech Poznan, Partizan Belgrade, SC Dnipro-1, Molde FK, CFR Cluj and FC Basel. The game would also be played here on February 16 and 23, 2023. The draw will take place on November 7 at 2 p.m.
4th place – already taken
… means the safe exit and is taken before the last matchday as well as first place: Malmö FF could not score a single point and is a distant tail.
Broadcast: rbb24, November 2nd, 2022, 6 p.m
