Union Berlin are looking to move on swiftly from their loss to Bayern Munich last weekend with Köln up next for the third-placed side in the Bundesliga as the away side aim to creep up on the top half of the table.
There were no two ways about it before Union's clash with Bayern: they were in a title race. Now, however, after getting smashed 3-0 in Munich by the champions, it has no doubt brought Urs Fischer's men right back down to earth.
Remember the last time against Köln? It was the first time Timo Baumgartl was back in the squad, Lennart Grill's debut; when Sheraldo's ball into the box flicked off Timo Hübers.It was mad hot. And we went top of the Bundesliga for the very first time. See you Saturday #FCUFCK pic.twitter.com/wBK5s8883I— 1. FC Union Berlin (English) (@fcunion_en) February 28, 2023
Remember the last time against Köln? It was the first time Timo Baumgartl was back in the squad, Lennart Grill's debut; when Sheraldo's ball into the box flicked off Timo Hübers.It was mad hot. And we went top of the Bundesliga for the very first time. See you Saturday #FCUFCK pic.twitter.com/wBK5s8883I
It was a clinic from Bayern that day and easily Union's worst display of the season, as they had three shots and not a single one on target and just 29% of the ball.
It does still keep them three behind first place and second-placed Borussia Dortmund. However, after also drawing 0-0 with Schalke, they come into this game without a win in their past two league games.
Union's last victory in the Bundesliga came in a stunning 2-1 win at the Red Bull Arena over RB Leipzig, as Janik Haberer scored in the second half before a penalty conversion from Robin Knoche.
More impressive that day, the club came from behind and saw only 36% of the ball against Leipzig.
Fischer's side also have a round of 16 Europa League two-legged affair to look forward to next week against Union Saint-Gilloise.
This comes after a fantastic 3-1 win over Ajax where Knoche netted another penalty, just as Danilho Doekhi and Josip Juranovic scored a goal each.
Although they are still in the title race because of just a three point gap, there is a fear that Union could drop further down the table. A loss here and a win for Freiburg and Leipzig would see them drop into fifth. However, with Dortmund and Leipzig clashing on Friday, there is a chance that Union could reignite their hopes for second.
At the same time, even though they recently lost to Bayern, both Union and the champions have won 13 games each.
As for Koln, they come into this game with two losses in a row and only one win in February. Steffen Baumgart's side have conceded five goals and not scored a goal of their own in the past two defeats, with Stuttgart smashing them 3-0 and Wolfsburg beating them 2-0.
Forebet predicts a win for Union and for the game to see under 2.5 goals once again.