Our next opponents: An engineer winning the points

Position

Probably nobody in Köpenick would say it too loud but the 2-0 victory at Werder Bremen was a big step forward in terms of staying up. Three points against a direct rival – and that away from home where the Berlin side have never won a single league game before. "The team showed great solidarity and produced a mature performance," praised coach Urs Fischer. And: The team now have a nine-point lead over the play-off spot of sixteenth. A really impressive interim position for a club that is in its first ever season in the Bundesliga. But Fischer has assured with his relaxed approach that Union are more and more getting used to the league and are now established in mid-table. The crucial part is the outstanding record at their own ground, the Alte Försterei. The Berliners have clocked up six wins in front of their own fans, which is equal to second-placed RB Leipzig. That includes two wins at home against Borussia Dortmund and Borussia Mönchengladbach. Of course: Bayer 04 present Union with a tough challenge.

Personnel

Marius Bülter is currently living the dream of many lower league players. Less than two years ago, then at the age of 25, he appeared to have reached his limits playing for SV Rödinghausen in the Regional League West and he was also studying mechanical engineering. Now the powerful forward is in the Bundesliga and he has scored goals against Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig, and last weekend he bagged a brace to secure victory for Union over Werder Bremen. "He's making a rapid rise," said Fischer in describing his winger. Bülter, who successfully completed his studies, is now not only the second highest scorer for Union Berlin but his goals have also secured points: The 26-year-old has scored for Union in four Bundesliga games with the side from Köpenick winning three of those games.

In spite of the threat posed by Bülter's physique or the heading ability of striker Sebastian Andersson, the main strength of the team is in the defence: Union have only conceded 32 goals to date – exactly the same number as Borussia Dortmund. No less impressive: Goalkeeper Rafal Gikiewicz has kept six clean sheets this season (as has Werkself keeper Lukas Hradecky) and only Manuel Neuer has been more successful (eight). More good news for the Union defence: Defender Marvin Friedrich returns from a one-match ban – but even without the key player, Union did not concede at Werder Bremen.

ProblemS

Union do not have many problems at the moment and the season is certainly proceeding to the satisfaction of the management. The team from Köpenick could definitely play more inventive football. The threat often comes from individual moves by Bülter, high crosses to Andersson or from set pieces rather than fast combination play. That was evident in last week's 1-0 win in the DFB Cup against SC Verl when the Berliners found it difficult to penetrate the deep lying defence of the Regional League team. That is not particularly helped by the absence of two of the best technicians in the squad, Akaki Gogia (torn cruciate) and Joshua Mees (thigh injury).

Potential

Union have done a lot incredibly well in recent years. The reward: Eleventh in the league ahead of city rivals Hertha Berlin plus progress to the quarter-finals of the DFB Cup. The foundations were laid by the efforts of the calm and efficient team management. That can now be built on – and Union are already making the most of it: Central striker Andersson, the top scorer in the squad with eight goals so far this season and therefore a target for other clubs, last week agreed to a two-year contract extension. And Bülter, currently only on loan from FC Magdeburg, recently expressed the hope that Union will take up their option to buy at the end of the season. That's logical as everyone is happy to play for this club at the moment.

Prediction

With the win at Werder Bremen, Union have taken a big step towards staying in the top flight. Nine points above the play-off spot provides a relatively comfortable cushion – particularly as the Fischer team have already played two of the big clubs in the second half of the season in RB Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund. It will take a lot for this club not to be looking forward to their second season in the Bundesliga in the summer.