In the first leg there was a bitter 1-0 defeat against the Belgians. Here Niko Gießelmann comes too late against the Belgian Senne Lynen Photo: ODD ANDERSEN/AFP
From BZ/dpa
Conference League or Europa League? That’s what Union Berlin is about on Thursday evening in Belgium. In the showdown with the Belgian runners-up, the Köpenickers have to do without something important in the stadium – but they take legal action against a ban.
With the fourth European victory in a row, Union wants to make it into the knockout stages of the Europa League on Thursday evening. The Köpenickers will play against the Belgian runners-up Royale Union Saint-Gilloise (9 p.m.). The Berliners, who have recently regained their form, have to do without their supporters in the stadium. However, the club is taking legal action against the ban on entry.
INITIAL SITUATION: In order to survive the winter in the Europa League on their own, Union, second in the long-distance duel with third-placed Sporting Braga, needs a win. In the event of a draw or a loss, the team would be from Urs Fischer dependent on help from Malmö FF.
You can hardly tell, but Union coach Urs Fischer is looking forward to the game with the Belgians Photo: Matthias Koch/dpa
The Portuguese are unlikely to win in the Group D game between the previously pointless Swedes and Sporting Braga, which is taking place at the same time. Otherwise, Union would compete in the knockout stages of the Conference League in the new year. The Bundesliga leaders have won the last three games in the European Cup 1-0. Saint-Gilloise has already qualified for the round of 16 of the Europa League as unassailable leaders.
STAFF: At Union, all players registered for the European Cup are fit and ready for action. It should be slightly rotated again.
Fischer: “There’s a great job waiting for us”
QUOTE: Coach Urs Fischer: “Saint-Gilloise has performed very convincingly so far. You lead the group. The team is very well organized and plays roughly the same system as us. A great task awaits us there.”
SPECIAL: After the riots at the game at Malmö FF (1-0), Union was not allowed to sell tickets to its supporters. In addition to the Uefa ruling, the mayor of Leuven even banned Union fans from entering Leuven and the surrounding area. The police threatened arrests. Union filed a lawsuit against the ban, which is expected to be decided later on Thursday.