Union Berlin and Union St Gilloise will meet for the third time this season in the UEFA Europa League. The two clubs, who made their debut in European football competitions this season, met twice in the group stage.
Union St Gilloise topped Europa League Group D with 13 points from six matches. The Belgian club finished the group stage just one point ahead of runner-up Union Berlin.
Abschlusstraining incoming 👊 #UEL pic.twitter.com/fWArbKrsEJ— 1. FC Union Berlin (@fcunion) March 8, 2023
Abschlusstraining incoming 👊 #UEL pic.twitter.com/fWArbKrsEJ
The Unions split their group-stage matches with one win apiece. Union Berlin went to Belgium and defeated USG 1-0 thanks to a first-half goal from Sven Michel.
USG defeated Union Berlin 1-0 in the reverse fixture 1-0 in the German capital. Senne Lynen scored a first-half goal to send USG to the win. Union Berlin’s Michel, the scorer in the match played in Belgium, was sent off following a straight red card.
Union Berlin’s title fight in the Bundesliga has dipped following a 3-0 defeat to Bayern Munich and a nil-nil draw with FC Koln at the weekend. The Irons will likely put all their focus into the Europa League tournament.
The Irons are brilliant at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei. In 17 matches this season, Union Berlin have a record of 12W-4D-1L with 28 goals for and 11 against.
USG lost three of their last four matches in all competitions. The Unionists have hit a bad patch of form at the wrong time of the campaign. USG have played 20 times on the road this season, posting a record of 12W-3D-5L. Their current form cannot be ignored, however.
Just one player is on the USG injury list ahead of the trip to Berlin. Forward Dennis Eckert Ayensa is a doubt to play following a muscle injury. Dante Vanzier leads USG in goals in the Belgian Pro League and Europa League with 11. Victor Boniface has 10 goals combined in the competitions.
Union Berlin coach Urs Fischer is unlikely to have Andras Schafer following a foot injury. Shafer is the only new injury worry Fischer has going into the match. Union Berlin do not score a lot of goals and do not have a singular goalscorer to depend on.
The team has scored 47 goals in 34 matches this season in all competitions. Forward Sheraldo Becker leads Union Berlin in goals with eight.
USG are struggling at the wrong time, and despite winning in Berlin earlier this season in the Europa League group stage, the Irons should take the spoils at home. Union Berlin should pick up a win with a 2-0 scoreline.