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On Saturday, 11 February 2023, 1. FC Union Berlin travel to play RasenBallsport Leipzig in the the Bundesliga’s top match of the weekend. The match will kick off at the former Zentralstadion at 18:30.
The lay of the land
Though it is seen by most as a clash between the second placed Union and fourth placed side from Leipzig, Union’s eyes are also focussed on something more immediate than the top of the table. For, with a single point, they can achieve their primary objective for the season of 40 points, and all after only 20 games.
What is certain is that it is a meeting of two teams in top form. While Union are still without a loss in 2023, the Saxons are currently on an even longer unbeaten streak. Their last defeat in a competitive match came with the 3-0 away at Borussia Mönchengladbach on matchday seven, and since Marco Rose has been in charge they have earned 31 points from 14 matches in the top flight. For their part, Union are the last side to have last won in Leipzig in the Bundesliga, with their last minute 2-1 win on 23 April 2022.
2-1, it’s somehow always 2-1. The last five times the sides have met the score has ended 2-1.
The opponents
There are currently only six points separating the top six and, with a five-point lead advantage over seventh, a small cushion has already been built up by the league’s leading lights ahead of the non-European places. In one table, however, the Leipzigers are even leading. Just. They are still unbeaten after nine home games, ahead of Union only because of a better goal difference.
Head coach Marco Rose will still have to do without his best player in terms of numbers. Christopher Nkunku – with twelve goals, the second most in the league – is not yet fit for action after tearing his knee ligaments.
The reunion
Union vice-captain Rani Khedira will meet old companions after playing for RasenBallsport from 2014 to 2017, making a total of 54 appearances.
The personnel
Only András Schäfer is not available for the match, otherwise all players in Urs Fischer’s squad are fit and ready for action.
The coach’s views ahead of the match
“Marco Rose has done a great job and got his team back on track,” said Union head coach Urs Fischer in his Thursday press conference. “They are very flexible in their systems, and variable in their play. Against their strong, decisive players, with their high speed and their good pressing, we need to have an exceptionally good day. It is also difficult to break free from their pressing. But if Leipzig maybe don’t have their very best day in the end, that helps us too.”
Service info
Tickets for the match are no longer available, both the home and visiting sections are sold out. Further important travel information can be found here.
The match will be broadcast live on Sky and, as usual, Union will also provide information on the match on the club’s own live ticker as well as in English on twitter.
