Union's Journey to the Almighty Bayern
After sustaining a 1-1 draw against SC Braga in the Champions League, Union Berlin, colloquially known as the Köpenickers, are heading straight to the Bavarian capital. Their next opponent in the Bundesliga is none other than the formidable FC Bayern Munich. Scheduled for Saturday at 3:30 pm, the match will be broadcasted on Sky, and it's safe to say Union Berlin's quest to halt their 16-game winless streak could prove challenging.
Underdogs at the Gate
Union Berlin find themselves as clear underdogs at unbeaten second-placed Bayern Münich. Never before have the Köpenickers emerged victorious in a competitive match against their formidable opponents. Their only point against Bayern was earned in the 2020/21 season.
Striking Streaks
Both Bayern and Union Berlin share longer current streaks in the Bundesliga, both in a positive and negative sense. The Bavarian juggernauts have remained unbeaten in 13 games this season, while Union Berlin have yet to pick up a win in ten matches.
Kevin's Lightning-Fast Blast
In Union Berlin's attack, there's a fantastic player named Kevin Volland. During his time with TSG Hoffenheim, he set a record by scoring the quickest goal ever in the Bundesliga against Bayern Munich. In just nine seconds, he netted a goal in a match that ended 1-2 for Hoffenheim.
Leaky Defensive Layer
Up until this point, Union Berlin is yet to play a league match without conceding a goal this season. With 27 goals conceded in twelve games, their defense continues to be a significant problem. Last season, both Union Berlin and Bayern had the fewest goals conceded in the Bundesliga, with 38 goals apiece after 34 matchdays.
Bjelica's Bayern Memories
Union Berlin's coach Nenad Bjelica has a personal history with Bayern Munich. During his time as a midfielder for 1. FC Kaiserslautern, he failed to secure a win against Bayern. His most memorable encounter was a penalty miss in the DFB Cup quarter-final in 2002. At the Fritz Walter Stadium, he failed to convert his spot-kick, leading to Bayern's 5-3 victory in the penalty shootout.
Politics in Munich
Bayern's home city also happens to be a hotbed of German politics. The CDU/CSU, one of Germany's major political parties, has its headquarters there. Union Berlin will face the political powerhouse on and off the pitch against its dominant football counterpart.
Pre-Match Analysis
Sky Live's preview of the match will include an analysis of Union Berlin's underwhelming performance against SC Braga in the Champions League. The Köpenickers will need to find their form against one of the Bundesliga's most formidable opponents if they are to break their winless streak.
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While Union Berlin has not recorded a single victory against Bayern Munich, they have had a few close calls. In the 1980s, Union Berlin came agonizingly close to upsetting Bayern back in the German Cup, with the match going into extra time. However, the Bavarians were able to secure the victory and move on to the following round[1].
Additionally, during the era of Union Berlin's successful OB promotion push (which saw them climb their way up from the fourth division to the Bundesliga), they faced Bayern Munich several times, but ultimately came up short[2].
The Köpenickers have had some memorable performances against Bayern in friendly matches. For instance, in 1998, Union Berlin played a thrilling 90-minute match against Bayern at An der Alten Forsterei, which ended in a 2-2 draw[3].
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