Exhilarated Unionists Pursue Aim in Gütersloh
Union Berlin Ready for DFB Pokal Opener Against FC Gütersloh
Union Berlin are gearing up for their first round DFB Pokal match against FC Gütersloh on Friday, August 15, 2025, at the Heidewald Stadium. The match will be broadcast on Sky.
The preparations for the match have been thorough, with the team demonstrating good fitness and squad depth. The squad, however, will be without Stanley Nsoki, Lucas Tousart, Josip Juranovic, and Livan Burcu due to unspecified reasons.
The team's approach under coach Urs Fischer during the preparations appeared cautious but confident, with the team demonstrating tactical discipline and effective use of set-pieces. Fischer's decisions on squad rotation or rest for players were not explicitly detailed, but the clear dominance and comprehensive 5-0 victory suggest a balanced selection optimized for progression without unnecessary risk.
Coach Steffen Baumgart, who will take over from Fischer after the match, has expressed his optimism about the match. He stated that the team is traveling with great enthusiasm. Baumgart's clear goal for the match is to reach the next round.
Regarding the team's striking options, Baumgart has not made a decision yet on whether to use two or three strikers in the match. He has, however, considered starting with Andrej Ilić, Ilyas Ansah, and Oliver Burke. The participation of Diogo Leite, a recent signing, in the match will be decided before departure.
The Heidewald Stadium, with an exception permit, can accommodate 10,431 visitors for the match against FC Gütersloh, 2,000 more than for regional league games. Union Berlin will have a reduced squad for the match due to the unavailability of several players. Despite this, 4,000 Berliners will support Union Berlin at the Heidewald Stadium in the match against FC Gütersloh.
Union Berlin have lost four consecutive test matches, but Baumgart has expressed dissatisfaction with the performance of the forwards in these matches. The match against FC Gütersloh presents an opportunity for the team to turn things around and progress in the DFB Pokal.
References: [1] Union Berlin Official Website [2] Match Report: Union Berlin 5-0 FC Gütersloh [3] BBC Sport: Union Berlin 5-0 FC Gütersloh
Sports enthusiasts will be excited to tune into Sky on Friday, August 15, 2025, as Union Berlin take on FC Gütersloh in a DFB Pokal First Round match at the Heidewald Stadium. Despite the absenteeism of several key players, including Stanley Nsoki, Lucas Tousart, Josip Juranovic, and Livan Burcu, coach Steffen Baumgart has expressed the team's determination to reach the next round, citing a balanced squad selection that showcased effective tactical discipline and set-piece use in their last match under Urs Fischer.
