On the penultimate day of Europa League Group D, Union Berlin hosts Sporting Braga on Thursday. In the race for progress, a win against the strong Portuguese is almost a must for the people from Köpenick. By Luke Witte
The topic of the week
After five wins in a row, 1. FC Union Berlin’s winning streak ended last Sunday. Ironically, the leaders from Köpenick lost against bottom-placed VfL Bochum. Tick off and carry on is now the motto. Because in the Europa League, coach Urs Fischer’s team is facing a small final on Thursday (6:45 p.m.).
If they beat Sporting Braga at the Stadion an der Alten Försterei, they would overtake the second-placed Portuguese and have a good chance of reaching the second round. There they would play against a team from the Champions League to stay in the competition. The first place in Group D and thus a direct qualification for the knockout phase of the Europa League is theoretically still possible.
Big names like Juventus Turin, FC Barcelona and Atletico Madrid could then wait for the Köpenickers in the intermediate round. But Berlin doesn’t want to think that far ahead. “Of course I watched the teams’ Champions League games, but for now we’re concentrating on getting three points in the next game,” said top striker Sheraldo Becker at the press conference before the game.
If you want to stay in the Europa League, this win is basically a must. A draw would still leave Union a point behind Braga. With Union meeting leaders Saint-Gillouise in the final group game while Braga host Malmö FF’s Swedes who are still pointless, that would be a far from promising position. In the event of a defeat on Thursday, Unions Gang would already be one floor down in the Conference League.
The opponent
Sporting Braga could pose problems for the Irons. Although 1. FC Union was the superior team in the first leg in Portugal, they still lost 0-1 in the end. Surprisingly, what was lacking at the time was primarily efficiency in closing. Normally that is exactly the strength of the Berliners. “It’s a team that’s in good shape, compact and doesn’t allow much. That’s why we’ll try to create as many chances as possible. And then we have to be efficient,” coach Urs Fischer plans the revenge.
Union Berlin loses undeservedly in Braga
1. FC Union Berlin also failed to win in the second group game of the Europa League and did not reward themselves at Sporting Braga for a sometimes very committed performance.more
Braga is having a good season. They are currently in second place in the Portuguese league and are particularly impressive thanks to their counterattacking power. They have already scored 26 goals in their first ten games – that’s the best in the league. “They try to lure the opponent and get in the back with speed,” Fischer knows.
It is a style of play that is not dissimilar to his own team and has also led the Portuguese to success in the Europa League so far: Only the first leg against leaders Royale Union Saint-Gilloise was lost.
To tune in
If the wait for the small final in the Europa League is still taking too long, we have a film tip for you to bridge the gap and get you in the right mood.
From the eternal outsider to the surprise team of German football: ‘Our club: “Eisern Union!”‘ tells the story of 1. FC Union Berlin – across the decades. A documentary about the ups and downs of a football club – and about the happiness and suffering of the people who have dedicated themselves to it. Watch here now.
This is how Union could play
As before, 1. FC Union has been largely spared injuries this season and, despite the triple strain, almost all professionals are fit again for the game against Braga. Only striker Sven Michel is not available to the team after a positive corona test.
Coach Fischer gave the all-clear for Janik Haberer, who had to be replaced after 20 minutes due to an injury in the defeat against Bochum. The midfielder was able to complete the entire training session with the team again on Tuesday. Nothing would stand in the way of a mission, says Fischer.
As usual, Union’s coach will bring a pair of fresh legs in central defense. Danilho Doekhi could replace Paul Jaeckel. Julian Ryerson, who has been strong this season, will probably be on the left flank again instead of Niko Gießelmann.
Union could begin like this: Rönnow – Leite, Knoche, Doekhi – Ryerson, Khedira, Trimmel – Haberer, Schäfer – Jordan, Becker
Our prognosis
For 1. FC Union it is the final for a possible stay in the Europa League. With Sporting Braga, a difficult opponent awaits, who is very similar to the playing style of the Köpenickers with their compact defense and strong attack. Coach Urs Fischer has announced that his team wants to create many chances. Coupled with the unbelievably high level of efficiency and the home advantage of the Berliners, nothing would stand in the way of a win in the last Europa League group game of the season in the Stadion an der Alten Försterei.
The rbb | 24 tip: 2: 1 for Union.
Broadcast: rbb24, October 26, 2022, 6 p.m
