The 2017/18 season sees Union in the second division for the ninth year in succession and they are the longest-serving team in the second tier. In the last six seasons the team from the capital have finished in the top half of the table and often competed for a top position. That is a remarkable achievement given the constant fluctuation in division two. But this consistency should soon stop: Union are looking to get promotion to the Bundesliga for the first time in the club's history after finishing just short in fourth place last term. This season, after a run of five games without a win, the team coached by Jens Keller are now back in the leading pack and in fourth place after a 3-1 win against Fürth.
Over the past few years, the management in Berlin-Köpenick have continually assembled a team able to hold their own in the leading group of the second division. Since 2016 the team has also been able to build on the services of Jens Keller as head coach with his past experience of managing VfB Stuttgart and Schalke 04 in the Bundesliga. That undoubtedly makes him one of the most high-profile coaches in the second division. And in terms of the attack, almost all other second division teams must envy the impressive quality of the Berlin strike force: Since moving to Berlin in January 2017, Sebastian Polter has scored an impressive 13 goals in 27 games including six in the current campaign and five in the last five matches – the man is on a run. In addition to the 6'2" central striker, Union also have a big name in the centre of midfield. Felix Kroos is not only the captain of the side but also plays a decisive role as a playmaker with the Berlin team – in similar fashion to his big brother Toni, who performs the same role at another level for Real Madrid and Germany. Both Polter (Nürnberg, Wolfsburg, Mainz) as well as Kroos (Bremen) have played in the Bundesliga. The same applies to the Japanese player Atsuto Uchida, right back at Schalke 04 for seven years including a spell under Jens Keller. Uchida joined Union in the summer but is ruled out of the match against the Werkself due to a muscle injury.
Union found it difficult in the final stage of last season and also in the first third of the current campaign when playing against rivals for promotion. That was how Keller's team, top of the table on matchday 25 of the 2016/17 season, lost the chance of progress to the Bundesliga in the new year. One possible reason: against the top teams the attacking game largely focused on Polter as a target up front is often not enough. In general, the team from the capital often seem very dependent on goals from their star striker: Union only picked up two points between match days four and seven when the lofty striker failed to find the back of the net in four consecutive matches.
Union are continually working on the long-term aim of establishing themselves in the Bundesliga. The appropriate structures have already been created: The capacity of the venerable Alte Försterei stadium Is due to be extended from the current 22,000 to 37,000 by 2020 – a quantum leap for the club that has been up and down between the second and third divisions for years. Now the club is booming in every respect: The membership numbers are going through the roof, Union have a close relationship to the fans due to their cult image in the capital and now they are a serious competitor for the bigger club Hertha Berlin. One crucial element is missing to complete the development over the next few years: promotion to the top flight.
That is a work in progress in Berlin. The chances of that happening this year are certainly there. Union have the quality to compete for promotion to the end of the season. If they show the necessary focus in crucial matches then Bayer 04 could be playing a Bundesliga fixture at the Alte Försterei next season. First, the two teams meet at the BayArena on Tuesday. The club have already shown they are capable of springing surprises as in 2001 when Union made it to the Cup final as a Regional League side only to lose 2-0 against Schalke 04 – the biggest success in the club's recent history.
With seven points, Mainz 05 are currently joint seventh, level on points with sixth-placed Bayer 04. In today’s head-to-head clash (kick-off: 15:30 CEST), the Werkself must be particularly wary of the clinical Mainz strike duo. For Leverkusen fans who have left it to the last minute, there are still a few tickets available from the matchday ticket office. Those following the Black and Reds from home, on the other hand, have a choice: RTL is broadcasting the match on free-to-air TV, and Werkself Radio is also offering the expert commentary of former Bayer 04 player Falko Götz. Today’s matchday news.
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Back from the international break: On Saturday 10 October (kick-off: 15:30 CEST), the Werkself are away to Mainz 05. Ahead of the clash at the MEWA ARENA against the side currently sixth in the table, head coach Carles Martínez spoke, amongst other things, about the team’s work during the extended international break. The Spaniard also commented, when asked, on a number of squad matters, including Ibrahim Maza.
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FSV Mainz 05 went into the international break on the back of an away win at Borussia Mönchengladbach. Currently sixth in the table, the Rheinhessen side – who have been impressive on the road – now aim to continue their good start to the Bundesliga campaign at home when they face the Werkself on Saturday, 10 October (kick-off: 15:30 CEST). In terms of squad selection, Urs Fischer once again has more options at his disposal. Up front, the Mainz coach is likely to continue relying on what is currently the league’s most successful strike partnership. The lowdown on our next opponents.
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Thomas Eichin has been working for Bayer 04 for six years – as Director of Professional Teams since July 2023 – and has contributed to the successful development of our club in many areas. Today, Friday 9 October, Freiburg-born Eichin is celebrating his 60th birthday. We wish him a very happy birthday.
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Together with his family, friends and close associates, Bayer 04 Leverkusen bid farewell to Peter Hermann. The club’s long-serving assistant manager passed away on 19 September following a serious illness. Today, Thursday 8 October, Bayer 04 held an event attended by around 200 invited guests to commemorate Peter Hermann’s legacy. Representatives from the DFB and the other professional clubs where Hermann worked paid their respects to him at the BayArena.
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