FIRST TEAM
08/21/2021

Full of confidence but heavy-legged

Union Berlin were the Bundesliga's surprise package last season, finishing only the second top-flight campaign in their history in seventh place and qualifying for the newly launched UEFA Conference League. In the lead-up to their trip to TSG Hoffenheim on Sunday (15:30 CET/Live Ticker at tsg-hoffenheim.de), coach Urs Fischer's side beat Finnish club KuPS away on their long-anticipated return to Europe.

The moment came on Thursday evening, three days prior to facing TSG Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga: Union Berlin contested their first competitive international game in almost 20 years. And the capital club showed their delight at being back on the European stage by producing an attacking masterclass, beating KuPS 4-0 at the Helsinki Olympic Stadium with three goals in the opening 31 minutes. "I'm of course satisfied. It's definitely a brilliant result; we hadn't quite been expecting that," said coach Urs Fischer after his team's first-leg triumph. That comfortable victory in Finland means the men from Köpenick have taken a huge step towards the Conference League group stages. They will therefore be travelling to the Kraichgau full of confidence but presumably with heavy legs too. 

Union Berlin won their opening competitive game of the 2021/22 season away to third-tier outfit Türkgücü München in the DFB-Pokal first round, running out 1-0 victors in a hard-fought game. They followed that up with a 1-1 draw against Bayer 04 Leverkusen on Bundesliga Matchday 1. Awoniyi, who was signed on a permanent deal from Liverpool in the summer following a successful loan spell, scored a stunning goal against Bayer 04. The Nigerian appears to be in excellent early-season form, as is his strike partner and Olympic participant Max Kruse (three competitive goals). TSG are well aware of the attacking qualities of the 33-year-old former Germany international, who has scored nine goals in 17 games against Hoffenheim  his best record against any club. He has also been directly involved in all four of Union's Bundesliga goals against TSG (two goals, two assists).

Despite all of their attacking abilities, the men from Berlin's outstanding quality last season was their defence. Union only conceded 43 goals throughout the 2020/21 campaign the fourth-best defensive record in the division behind Leipzig, Wolfsburg and Leverkusen. The main man at the back was Marvin Friedrich, who did not miss a single minute the entire season. Grischa Prömel, who represented TSG Hoffenheim at various levels from 2013 to 2015, also made a total of 24 appearances last term. But there will be no reunion with his former club for the 26-year-old, who is not yet ready to play following a groin operation.

Urs Fischer has plenty of alternatives at his disposal, however. No other Bundesliga club has been as active in the transfer market as the men from Berlin this summer. Including Awoniyi, Union have signed 13 players. Of the 15 departures, the transfer of midfielder Robert Andrich to Bayer 04 Leverkusen was a particularly bitter pill to swallow. The 26-year-old made 29 appearances for the capital club in the Bundesliga last season and was one of the team's key performers.

Despite the many incomings and outgoings, Fischer has stuck with his preferred 3-5-2 formation this season. Union have lined up with that system in all three of their competitive games this term, with Fischer placing his trust is almost entirely the same starting XI. Union will likely play in the same system against TSG Hoffenheim. There will be one major difference to their previous meetings in Sinsheim, however: TSG will host Union Berlin at the PreZero Arena in front of fans for the first time.

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