Home form the key: How Bayern plan to come out on top in their third clash with Union Berlin

Before they head into the international break, FC Bayern host 1. FC Union Berlin at the Allianz Arena on Saturday (live coverage with our text commentary and free web radio on fcbayern.com and in the FC Bayern app from 15.30 CET). Here’s all you need to know ahead of the game in our preview.

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The Munich men have already experienced just how awkward a clash with Union Berlin can be this season, having been troubled by the Berliners' set-piece prowess both in the 2-2 draw in the reverse fixture and in the 3-2 win in the DFB Cup round of 16. “We know Union’s strengths,” cautioned Vincent Kompany. However, it does make a difference that Bayern have home advantage for the first time in the third meeting of the season. We’ll see “how much of their game plan Union can implement at the Allianz Arena,” the FCB coach added. The Bavarians have most recently celebrated five consecutive wins across all competitions in their own stadium – the aim is to add one more so they can head into the international break on a high.

Until then, however, Vincent Kompany’s side still have the clash with Union to look forward to - their fifth competitive match in 16 days. FCB have so far coped well with the busy period in March: alongside the emphatic victories against Atalanta in the Champions League round of 16 (10-2 on aggregate), they've picked up four points from two Bundesliga matches – including a hard-fought draw at Leverkusen, where they ended the game with just nine men. So Kompany is hoping his players will get some time to take a breather despite their international commitments – and, above all, come back injury-free. As many national teams are mainly playing friendlies, numerous national coaches have already decided “that the players probably won’t play two matches”, the FCB coach revealed: “That changes a lot. That’s why I hope everything will go well for us this time.”

Read the key statements from the pre-match press conference here:

The opponents: 1. FC Union Berlin

14 encounters, no wins: Union Berlin have yet to beat FC Bayern in a competitive match. When asked how they might finally manage to do so this Saturday of all days, Union coach Steffen Baumgart replied with characteristic wit: “We need to score one more goal than them, then we’ll definitely end the game with three points,” the 54-year-old explained somewhat sardonically, before adding: “We need to be bold and decisive in our play. We mustn’t let Bayern get into their stride, and we must make the most of the few chances that come our way.”

The Irons once again demonstrated just how efficient they can be last week with their 1-0 win at Freiburg. It was the fourth time this season that a Union match ended with that scoreline – a league record alongside VfB Stuttgart. Currently on 31 points, the ninth-placed side have built up a cushion to the relegation zone and are well on the way to securing their place in the league for a seventh consecutive Bundesliga season. “What they’re doing at Union at the moment is quite remarkable,” said Kompany, paying tribute to the opposition for consistently bringing their strengths to bear on the pitch.

We take a closer look at Union:

Team news

Luis Díaz (red card), Nicolas Jackson (red card) and Jonathan Tah (fifth yellow card) are all suspended. Alphonso Davies (pulled hamstring in his right leg) and Jamal Musiala (painful reaction in the left ankle, which was injured last summer) are also not yet fit to play. There’s also still a question mark hanging over Manuel Neuer’s availability (muscle tear).

Union will be without the suspended András Schäfer, and goalkeeper Matheo Raab has also been sidelined with a hand injury.

The facts on the clash with the Irons:

What the coaches say

Test your knowledge of the fixture in our Matchday Quiz: