The hosts had finished fifth in the Bundesliga standings last season to earn a direct qualification to the group stage of Europe’s second tier club football competition.
Union Berlin will host Union SG in their opening group match of the 2022-23 Europa League campaign at Alte Foresteri on Thursday evening. The hosts had finished fifth in the Bundesliga standings last season to earn a direct qualification to the group stage of Europe’s second tier club football competition. Union SG, meanwhile, lost their Champions League qualifying third round tie against Rangers to settle for a place in the Europa League. Union Berlin are heading into the match on the back of a 1-1 draw against Bayern Munich in a German top flight match last Saturday, while the Belgian outfit defeated Zulte Waregem 3-1 in a league match, a day later.
? @EuropaLeague ✨ #UEL pic.twitter.com/o0VeYC3gOo
— Stadion An der Alten Försterei (@StadionAdAF) September 7, 2022
Union Berlin have made an impressive start to their 2022-23 Bundesliga campaign. The Iron Ones recorded three wins and two draws from their opening five league games to be sitting at the fourth position in the standings, just one point behind leaders SC Freiburg. In their last match against defending champions Bayern, Sheraldo Becker’s opener was canceled out by Joshua Kimmich to share the spoils. Urs Fischer’s side will enter the group stage full of confidence, having not lost 10 successive competitive games at home.
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Union SG, on the other hand, have won four of their opening seven league games to be sitting at the fifth position in the Belgian Pro League points table. In their last match against Zulte Waregem, Karel Geraerts’ side secured all three points, courtesy of an own goal by Moudou Tambedou and one goal each from Teddy Teuma and Dennis Eckert. It was Union SG’s third win from their last four games. Meanwhile Geraerts’ side have struggled away from home this term, having won only one of their five competitive games on rival turf this season.
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Union Berlin’s Jordan Siebatcheu, Diogo Leite and Fabio Schneider are sidelined with injuries. Becker, who has netted five Bundesliga goals this term, is likely to lead the line alongside Behrens. Schafer, Khedira and Thorsby are expected to run the engine room. As for Union SG, Gustaf Nilsson and Koki Machida are doubtful for thursday’s game because of foot and knee problems respectively. Victor Boniface could partner Dante Vanzeir up front.
Union Berlin probable starting lineup: Ronnow, Trimmel, Knoche, Jaeckel, Doekhi, Ryerson, Schafer, Khedira, Thorsby, Becker, Behrens
Union SG probable starting lineup: Moris, Kandouss, Van der Heyden, Burgess, Nieuwkoop, Teuma, Lynen, Amani, Adingra, Boniface, Vanzeir
The UEFA Europa League match between Union Berlin and Union SG will take place at Alte Foresteri on Thursday at 10:15 pm IST.
Union Berlin vs Union SG | Key details |
Date | September 8 |
Venue | Alte Foresteri |
Kickoff time in Germany | 6:45 pm |
Kickoff time in Belgium | 6:45 pm |
For the football fans in India, the live telecast of the UEFA Europa League is available on the Sony Ten network. You can also live stream through SonyLIV App/ website. Besides, the supporters in Germany can watch the match between Union Berlin and Union SG on RTL+ . Meanwhile, those in Belgium can catch the live action via Sporza and Play Sports 1.