Our next opponents: Wind of change blowing in Köpenick

Position

While Bayer 04 were in action in the Champions League during the week, it was time for Union to wind down and take a breather. The game against Werder Bremen was too exciting and too heated. VAR intervened three times, there were three penalties, one of which was saved by the Union keeper Rafal Gikiwiecz, plus two red cards in the closing stages of the game – and, in the end, a narrow defeat for Union in front of their own fans. The turbulent encounter fitted in seamlessly with everything that has happened in recent months at the Alte Försterei stadium with an almost unbeatable wealth of incidents: It started with the nailbiting promotion race in the second division, including missing a great chance in the last minute of the game on matchday 34 that resulted in failure to achieve automatic promotion; then came the successful play-off against VfB Stuttgart that led to the club going into the Bundesliga for the first time and almost a state of emergency in Berlin Köpenick. Having arrived in the top flight, the first game provided a rude awakening with a 4-0 defeat against RB Leipzig before Union went on to beat Borussia Dortmund 3-1 ahead of the international break to provide the first real surprise in this Bundesliga season. The fans of the capital club have certainly been through an emotional rollercoaster in recent weeks and months.

Personnel

'Sticking with the promotion team' is often the approach of clubs that get promoted. Not so with the 'Eisern Union'. Above all with the attack, that occasionally failed in the second division, with new players being brought in. The consequence: Five of the six players who started in midfield and attack against Werder Bremen only arrived in Berlin in the summer. The only remaining player in the offensive section who started was striker Sebastian Andersson (pictured right above with Robert Andrich) and he scored the equaliser at 1-1 with his third goal in four league games. The Swede also scored the first goal for the Berlin team in the Bundesliga in the 1-1 draw at Augsburg on matchday two. The showpiece in the promotion season was definitely the defence that coach Urs Fischer made the strongest back four in the second division in his first year in Germany with only 33 goals conceded. The back line is led by captain and right back Christopher Trimmel, goalkeeper Gikiewiecz plus central defender Marvin Friedrich who was signed on a permanent deal from Augsburg in the summer following a period on loan. In addition to former Germany international Christian Gentner in the centre of midfield, the Berliners brought in another real veteran for the defence: Former BVB player Neven Subotic has signed a two-year deal in Köpenick.

Problems

Subotic will not be available for the game in Leverkusen on Saturday. The two-time champion of Germany is serving a one-match ban after picking up a second yellow card late on against Werder Bremen. He could be replaced by Keven Schlotterbeck currently on loan from Freiburg. He is able to play again against Bayer 04. Again. As the 22-year-old was suspended after being sent off in the 1-1 draw at Augsburg. The last time there were two dismissals in the first four Bundesliga games at one club was in the 1999/2000 season at SSV Ulm – then there were four, albeit all in one game. The absence of Subotic comes at an unfortunate time because Fischer has identified a lack of Bundesliga experience. "One or the other mistake happens because of a lack of experience," he said after the Bremen game. And they'll be even less of it against the Werkself with the absence of Subotic.

Potential

The first promotion to the Bundesliga opens new opportunities for Union. The club has had an outstanding image in recent years – based on the passion of their fans, their old style stadium and a club management with a sustainable financial approach. Union Berlin now also stands for success – and in no small measure due to Urs Fischer. In his first year at the helm with the Berlin club, he achieved the biggest success in the club's history. And it's clear that the club want to move forward in future with the Swiss coach. Fischer has also expressed interest recently in an early contract extension. From a footballing point of view, that will set the club on course for first class football at the Alte Försterei stadium.

Prediction

The win against the title contenders from Dortmund showed: Union are capable of beating any team in the Bundesliga and therefore have every chance of achieving the major target of staying up. If the defence can continue where they left off in their impressive season in the second division and the new signings in attack can maximise their efficiency together up front in time then there should be every chance that the first Bundesliga season for Union Berlin will not be the last.