1. FC Union Berlin will head into the final Group E match at home to Slavia Prague on Thursday, knowing three points would send the Bundesliga club into the next stage.
Review – The last matches:
1. FC Union Berlin moved temporarily into the top four in the Bundesliga with a 2-1 win over RB Leipzig on Friday night. Taiwo Awoniyi bundled home a knockdown from Timo Baumgartl who would cap off a fine evening with the winning goal in the second half. Christopher Nkunku’s long-range effort brought Leipzig level after 13 minutes. Meanwhile, in the UEFA Europa Conference League, Union travelled to Maccabi Haifa on matchday five knowing a win was required to keep the prospect of qualification alive. Julian Ryerson’s header on 66 minutes secured the points, a first away win, to give the Köpenick club a fighting chance.
Slavia – Opposition Report:
Slavia Prague have established their position at the top of the Czech league with a three-point cushion over Viktoria Plzen. Slavia have been in excellent form with one defeat in 10 – a derby loss to Sparta Prague in October. Jindrich Trpisovsky’s team have racked up the goals on top of victories in recent months. Slavia won 2-0 at home to Plzen at the start with goals from Ondrej Lingr and Michael Krmenik. Eight goals in three games followed with wins over Pardubice, Jablonec and Teplice. In their last game, Jan Kuchta scored to secure a 1-0 win over Sigma Oloumuc.
Slavia – The coach’s view:
“We have worked to get to this game. I expect a really tough challenge. Slavia is doing well right now also in the league championship. They have scored 18 goals from their last 5 league games. They are defensively strong. They have quality and match winners in attack. But need to focus on us and bring our strengths in order to win the game,” said Urs Fischer.
Personnel
Laurenz Dehl is the only Union player out with an injury at the moment. Urs Fischer has the rest of his squad to pick from, including Christopher Trimmel and Cedric Teuchert who were suspended for the trip to Israel.
Service
The full information for fans attending the match can be found here.
The game will take place under special 2G-Plus conditions at the Olympic Stadium which require a negative test alongside proof of full vaccination or recovery.
The draw for the next stage of the UEFA Europa Conference League takes place on Monday.