Our next opponents: Back on the road to success thanks to united approach

Position

FC Union Berlin have not won any of their last seven Bundesliga fixtures. The team from Köpenick have picked up just one point from their last four games. Union are experiencing their worst start to the Rückrunde since promotion to the top flight in 2019. "We haven't started the new year well, seven games without a win is not good, we know that," said Derrick Köhn - and he is hoping for a change in fortune in the near future: "We have to keep going and try to win the game at home next week." The Irons are looking to end the negative run against the Werkself and finally regain a sense of achievement. Union's last win came shortly before Christmas on matchday 15 at FC Köln (1-0). That was followed by four draws and three defeats, most recently a 3-2 reverse at Hamburger SV last weekend.

At first glance, this does not appear to be a real downturn in the table. The Irons are down from eighth place to tenth. But the situation looks more critical in terms of points. While Union were only five points off a European slot at the end of last year, they are now 14 points away, while at the same time their lead over the play-off place has shrunk from nine to six points.

The season started promisingly for the Berlin side. The team under coach Steffen Baumgart beat clubs from the top third of the table including VfB Stuttgart (2-1), Eintracht Frankfurt (4-3) and RB Leipzig (3-1). The Irons ended Bayern Munich's winning run on matchday 10, even coming close to winning at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei before Harry Kane equalised at 2-2 for the Munich side in the third minute of added time. Union also put up a thrilling fight against the record champions in the DFB Pokal Round of 16 , losing 3-2 in the end after a strong performance, partly due to two own goals.

But the Berliners are still in trouble in the new year. "We're making too many mistakes right now," said Steffen Baumgart after the recent defeat in Hamburg. "I can't criticise the team in terms of desire. Nevertheless, you end up losing a game if you make mistakes. Football is a sport full of mistakes, but you can't make too many, and we have to do better next week." Will the Werkself, who won 2-0 the Hinrunde clash 2-0, be the next top club to get the upper hand?

Personnel

Baumgart has used the same starting eleven in the last two matches, with one exception. Against Hamburg, striker Andrej Ilic came into the team for attacking midfielder Andras Schäfer. Centre-backs Danilho Doekhi and Leopold Querfeld are set to start in defence in front of goalkeeper Frederik Rönnow. Both have been in the starting line-up for all 22 Bundesliga matches so far and are among the top 20 players in the league with the best duels stats. In place of Diogo Leite, who has been injured for several weeks (thigh), Stanley Nsoki recently took over on the left side of the back three. Rani Khedira and Aljoscha Kemlein form a well-practised duo in holding midfield. Derrick Köhn and captain Christopher Trimmel have been deployed as wing-backs, while Woo-yeong Jeong, Ilyas Ansah and Andrej Ilic formed the attacking trio. Alternatively, players such as Andras Schäfer, Tim Skarke, Alex Kral, Oliver Burke and the 21-year-old Livian Burcu are available in midfield and attack. In addition to Diogo Leite, defenders Tom Rothe (rehab training) and Josip Juranovic (calf) as well as midfielder Robert Skov (rehab training) are still sidelined for Saturday due to injury.

Problems

"We've now conceded ten goals in the last four games and that's simply too many for the Bundesliga," said captain Christopher Trimmel after the 3-2 defeat in Hamburg. "We didn't implement the game plan and that's only down to us as players. We have to take a good look at ourselves." Wing-back Derrick Köhn was annoyed at the way the goals were conceded: "We're allowing counter-attacks too easily and that shouldn't really happen to us." In fact, HSV scored all three goals from counter-attacks. Frederick Rönnow has conceded seven goals following quick transition play by the opposition. Only two teams have conceded more goals from counter-attacks.

As far as attacking moves are concerned, the Irons lack precision in some areas. The Berliners are in last place in terms of both pass completion (72%) and shots on target (37%). Even dictating the game against supposedly weaker opponents does not suit them. Union have the lowest possession stats (38%) and play the fewest passes per game on average (324). Union Berlin have often struggled at home at the Alte Försterei in particular winning only three of eleven home games and picking up just 14 points in front of their own fans - making this the worst home campaign in their Bundesliga history to date.

Performers

Union are achieving a lot through collective effort this season. The high desire to run and intensity have always been part of the Union Berlin DNA. It is therefore no surprise they have won the most duels (109) of all teams per game. When the Berliners play to their strengths, things can go the way they did in the second half of the 3-1 win over RB Leipzig in mid-December: Union scored two of their three goals after aggressive pressing and quick transition and combination play. The last goal was also a co-production from three substitutes - another sign of a functioning group. "Nobody here takes themselves too seriously," said Baumgart after what was perhaps the Irons' best second half of the season. Midfielder Aljoscha Kemlein played a key role and not just in that match. The 21-year-old Berliner combines the qualities of a tireless ball-winner and a midfield maestro. "With his strength in tackles and his stamina, the home-grown player embodies the typical attributes of a Union player, but in possession he is a class above most of his team-mates," said rbb24 (Rundfunk Berlin-Brandenburg) after the win against Leipzig.

The Werkself should watch out for the Berliners' set-pieces, which have traditionally been one of their strengths. Union have scored twelve of their 28 goals from set-plays, including two penalties converted by Leopold Querfeld. His fellow centre-back Danilho Doekhi also scored twice from set-pieces in the 2-2 draw against FC Bayern. It was the Dutchman's second brace of the season. With nine assists, striker Andrej Ilic, who also scored his first goal of the season last weekend in Hamburg, is the Iron's best provider.