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On Friday, 09/08/2024, 1. FC Union Berlin will play the final match of their pre-season preparations when they host Real Sociedad. Kick-off at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei against the Basque side is at 19:00.
The lie of the land
The visitors from San Sebastián spent part of their own training camp in Japan, where they beat Gamba Osaka 1-0, before losing in their second and final pre-season match, the “Txuri-Urdin” lost 2-0 to Stade Rennes.
Union have meanwhile already played four times this summer, winning two, drawing one and most recently suffering a 4-0 defeat against Olympique Lyon.
The opponents
La Real have enjoyed considerable domestic and European success in recent years. In the 2022/23 Europa League, they reached the round of 16 for the first time and finished fourth in the league, which enabled them to take part in the 2023/24 UEFA Champions League – their first appearance in Europe’s premier competition for ten years.
In the group stage they finished above Internazionale, Benfica and FC RB Salzburg win group D with 12 points. In the round of 16, however, they were defeated twice by Paris Saint-Germain (0-2 and 1-2). The Basques finished last season in sixth place and will therefore also be represented in Europe this season.
Three days ago, European champions Mikel Oyarzabal, Martín Zubimendi, Mikel Merino and Álex Remiro returned to training after their holidays. Oyarzabal led the Spanish team to the title with his goal in the European Championship final against England.
Personnel
Union head coach Bo Svensson will be without Kevin Volland, Josip Juranović, Rani Khedira, Yannic Stein and captain Christopher Trimmel on Friday evening.
The reunion
The return of Sheraldo Becker to the Alte Försterei will be a particular highlight. Union’s former 2nd vice-captain moved to Berlin in the summer of 2019 and, with a combined 50 goals and assists in 140 games, made a significant contribution to the club’s unprecedented success in recent years. The 29-year-old Suriname international joined the Basques in the winter of this year.
Service information
As usual, the stadium will open its doors two hours before kick-off. Due to restrictions on public transport, visitors are advised to allow extra time for their journey. Further information on travelling to the stadium can be found here (German).
Some remaining tickets are on sale at all Union’s Zeughaus stores and online.
Those unable to attend live will be able to watch the match via AFTV’s live stream. As usual, Union will also provide information about the match via the club’s own live ticker, as well as in English and Spanish on Twitter.
