The Bundesliga match schedule sometimes brings about interesting pairings - and so, as the fixtures would have it, top-of-the-table FC Bayern play second-placed Union only one week after their duel against the previous occupants of the position, Borussia Mönchengladbach. On Saturday (from 3:30 p.m. in our live updates, free web radio on fcbayern.com and in the FC Bayern App), the champions will take on the new current runners-up in the Bundesliga, 1. FC Union Berlin - here's all information on the match in the match preview.
Check out the best pictures from Friday's final training:
The situation for Bayern
FC Bayern convincingly kicked off the two games a week period with a commanding 5-0 win over third-division Viktoria Köln in the DFB Cup on Wednesday evening - but the task ahead will be far more complicated: "It's difficult to play there, but it's doable," said head coach Julian Nagelsmann in the press conference on Friday, highlighting not only the footballing qualities of the Köpenicker but also the good atmosphere in the Stadion an der Alten Försterei. Nevertheless, FC Bayern's primary concern is to remain at the top of the Bundesliga beyond the matchday. With five wins from the first six competitive games (one draw) and an outstanding goal difference of 26-5, the German champions' record so far this season reads very well, and they now want to build on this at Union.
The opponents: 1. FC Union Berlin
Though we are only a few matches in, Union Berlin are already clearly one of the positive surprises of the season. Gaining ten points from four games, the Irons have made their best start to the Bundesliga to date, with the Europa League participants having gone undefeated for a full eleven games in a row since March, where they lost 4-0 to Bayern. With this confidence, the Berliners also expect to do well against the Bavarians, yet this will need "an absolute top performance from us and also a bit of luck," as head coach Urs Fischer explained. According to the Swiss tactician, however, the current standings and the top-of-the-table nature of the maths is only "a snapshot". "We don't have the fight with the top of the league in mind - instead, we simply want to bring our best football onto the pitch," Fischer continued.
Bayern won the previous clash at the Alte Försterei 5-2.
The team news for Union vs. FC Bayern
Mathys Tel (sprained ankle) and Bouna Sarr (patella tendon problems) can't play in Berlin, as Nagelsmann explained on Friday: "Everyone else is otherwise fit, everyone coped well with the DFB Cup match."
Union Berlin are without centreback Diogo Leite on Saturday. Otherwise, the men from the district of Köpenick have no injury problems.
All statistics for the duel with Union:
What the coaches say
Julian Nagelsmann: "Union Berlin have developed well. They don't overcomplicate things, and instead play very straightforward football, focusing on counter attacks and transitional play. They often defend deep and keep it very tight. With their two strikers they maintain a good tempo and good physicality up front. It's a great stadium with incredible fans. It's hard to play there, but it's doable. We'll try our best."
Urs Fischer (Head coach, 1. FC Union Berlin): "I'm really looking forward to the game because it's incredible task to play against the best team in Germany, if not the entire world. It requires a lot of courage. When defending we can't give them too much space, and when we're attacking we need to relieve that pressure. Bayern can unleash a great force with their pace and with players who can determine the outcome of games by themselves. This will be a great challenge for us."
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