Oliver Ruhnert is preparing for difficulties in Union Berlin’s Champions League premiere and has a lot of respect for opponents Real Madrid.
“In the Champions League it’s easy to get caught up against teams like Real with this incredibly high quality,” said the managing director of Sport Bild. However, the Iron Men would “not go to Madrid as tourists, and we don’t just want to enjoy the moment of being there.”
The Bundesliga soccer team will compete in the premier class for the first time on Wednesday evening (6:45 p.m.) at the Bernabeu Stadium – against, of all people, the record champions.
“We are aware that we need not just a good performance there, but a very good one,” said Ruhnert. The anticipation is “huge, because it is a historic event, something unique. Everyone in the club should be aware of that.”
For him personally, it’s “hardly tangible that we’re now playing at Real Madrid. Of course I think it’s great,” said Ruhnert, “but my focus is on us playing against Hoffenheim three days later. We have to make sure we’re in get back into the rhythm of the Bundesliga.” Union is eighth with six points after four matchdays.