Our next opponents: Union Berlin on the up

Position

Life had only been positive for Union following their maiden Bundesliga promotion in 2019, achieving finishes of 11th, seventh, fifth and then fourth last season to qualify for the UEFA Champions League for the first time ever. This term has been much tougher, though, and prompted the departure of long-time coach Urs Fischer in November 2023. Under successor Nenad Bjelica, the Irons reached the mid-point of the season in 15th place and exited Europe after finishing bottom of their Champions League group without a win against Real Madrid, Napoli and Braga.

Bjelica and his team have turned things around this year, earning 15 points from their 10 games in the second half of the campaign, which is already one more than they managed in the first 17 of 2023/24. The Berliners now sit 12th in the Bundesliga table with a nine-point cushion over the bottom three, meaning they should now be safe from relegation in the remaining seven games.

Last weekend Union earned a point at Eintracht Frankfurt with a goalless draw that coach Bjelica appeared content with: “I’m pleased with the team’s performance. Both sides had good chances, so the result is the correct one. I’m happy we were able to keep a clean sheet and defend consistently well over 90 minutes.” The 52-year-old Croatian is gradually trying to lift the Köpenick club back up the table. In fact, they boast the seventh-best record in the Bundesliga since the mid-point of the season, with just one point fewer than Bayern Munich.

Personnel

Union are without the injured Jerome Roussillon, Janik Haberer and Jakob Busk for the visit of Leverkusen. Midfielder Andras Schäfer is available again after his suspension for a red card in the 2-0 loss at VfB Stuttgart. Kevin Vogt, a January arrival from Hoffenheim, has become the main man at the heart of the back three, flanked by Danilho Doekhi and Diogo Leite. The former boasts the club’s best tackling stats.

In midfield, Rani Khedira and Lucas Tousart provide the foundation, while left wing-back Robin Gosens is Union’s top scorer with six goals. On the right, they have alternated between Josip Juranovic and 37-year-old captain Christopher Trimmel. Things have changed up front following the winter departures of Sheraldo Becker (Real Sociedad) and Kevin Behrens (Wolfsburg). Mid-season arrival Yorbe Vertessen from PSV Eindhoven has established himself in recent weeks and got his first goal for the club in the 2-1 win over Werder Bremen three weeks ago, as well as setting up the second. Mikkel Kaufmann has started alongside the Belgian in the last two games. Former Leverkusen man Kevin Volland is the team’s top provider with four assists, but the 31-year-old has been on the bench in the last two fixtures. USA international Brenden Aaronson has emerged as the playmaker in recent weeks and got his second goal of the season in the crucial win over Bremen.

Performers

Union often pose a threat on the counter thanks to the pace of Aaronson and Vertessen. The team have also made big improvements in how they play since the first half of the season. Their committed defending is one of their strengths, helping the Berliners to the third-best defensive record in the second half of the Bundesliga season with only 10 goals conceded, behind Bayer 04 and Borussia Dortmund (both seven). “First and foremost, it’s about protecting our goal and putting yourself at the service of the team. That’s the foundation,” said vice-captain Khedira.

Problems

The 0-0 draw in Frankfurt was the 14th game this season in which Union failed to score – the most of any team in the Bundesliga. There wasn’t a lack of chances against Eintracht, however, proving that the capital club need to work on their finishing. Only Köln and Mainz have worst chance conversion stats and have fewer goals than the Irons’ 25.

Prediction

Union have grown in confidence this year and they look to be safe for this season with a nine-point gap over the bottom three. They are also now only seven points away from possible European qualification. Ultimately, they are in the safety of mid-table, which can only be seen as a positive after their poor start to the campaign. “Things looked very different for a long time. We were in a place that no team wants to be in,” said Gosens recently on Das Aktuelle Sportstudio. The left-back added looking ahead to the remainder of the season: “I think we owe the fans a few wins.” Could they get that next victory at home to the league leaders? The experienced Vogt is at least looking forward to facing unbeaten Leverkusen: “They have great confidence and are having a great season. I’m really up for playing against them. But we need a good day, some luck and lots of heart. That’s how we’ll play.” Perhaps the force will be with Union as they play in their special edition Star Wars kit this Saturday…