Union focus on Bundesliga points

Three days after the semi-final loss, 1. FC Union Berlin will return to the Zentralstadion with three points in the Bundesliga on the line.

Review – The last match:

1. FC Union Berlin suffered heartbreak in the semi-final of the DFB Pokal, going down 2-1 at Leipzig. Emil Forsberg came off the bench to score in the 92nd minute and complete the turnaround for the home side following a brave performance from the Köpenick club. Sheraldo Becker put Union ahead after 25 minutes, finishing off a cross from Christopher Trimmel. Union stayed in control of the game beyond half-time but were unable to turn dominance into goals. Felix Brych then awarded Leipzig a penalty kick on the hour mark with Andre Silva putting his side level. Leipzig’s pressure would prove too much for Union with Forsberg heading in the winner in stoppage time.

Leipzig – Opposition Report:

Domenico Tedesco’s side are competing on three remaining fronts this season. A victory over Atalanta has set up a UEFA Europa League semi-final contest with Scottish champions Rangers with Leipzig firm favourites to reach the final. The nine-point gap to second-placed Borussia Dortmund looks to big to bridge at this point in the Bundesliga, but Leipzig are getting closer to securing UEFA Champions League qualification. Leipzig’s last defeat was at Bayern Munich – that’s 9 games in league business without a loss. After beating Dortmund 4-1 at Signal Iduna Park, Leipzig went on to beat Hoffenheim 3-0 and then secured a 1-0 win at Leverkusen, just three days off the back of the quarter-final Europa League success in Italy. On Wednesday, Leipzig progressed to the German Cup final and will face Freiburg in May.

Leipzig – The coach’s view:

“We need to be more efficient,” said Urs Fischer in the pre-match press conference. “The game begins at zero and we have the opportunity to take something despite the disappointment of midweek. You take the disappointment with you but it’s about how you deal with it. The team put in a superb game over 93 or 94 minutes and the chances were there for us to win.”

Personnel:

Timo Baumgartl is suspended and is not available. Fischer said the rest of the squad was ready for the weekend’s match. Andreas Luthe will be back in the squad.

Service:

The match at the Zentralstadion kicks off at 15:30 CEST.