Union Berlin welcomes the unbeaten league leaders Bayer Leverkusen to the Alte Försterei on Saturday afternoon. There seems to be no match against the “Werkself” at the moment, but Union coach Nenad Bjelica is fighting.
Five facts about the game
- Union Berlin has only won one of the twelve encounters with Bayer Leverkusen
- Special jersey: Instead of the logo of the sponsor and streaming service Paramount+, the famous Starfleet Delta from the Star Trek series will be emblazoned on the chest of the Union players
- Under coach Nenad Bjelica, Union has only lost one of eight home games
- Opponent Leverkusen is still unbeaten in all competitions this season – to be precise, there has not been a defeat in 40 games
- Union have failed to score in 14 of their 27 Bundesliga games so far
This is how things are going in terms of sport for Bayer Leverkusen
Unbeaten in all three competitions, leaders in the Bundesliga well ahead of FC Bayern Munich, in the DFB Cup final and in the quarter-finals of the Europa League – Bayer 04 Leverkusen is experiencing an incomparable season of success. “We’ve run out of superlatives. This is the season of our lives! We’re just enjoying it and know that something like this will probably never happen again,” said Leverkusen fan Leonard euphorically to rbb|24. The 30-year-old is an ardent B04 fan and part of the Leverkusen umbrella organization for active fans, “Nordkurve 12”.
“So there is already a certain sadness and melancholy that it will end at some point. Every game that takes place is one less. Next season we will certainly be successful in sport, but the feeling of this season will only exist this summer.” , Leonard describes his emotional world. This is also because Leverkusen has a great chance to finally end the “Vizekusen” curse and really win titles. With a gap of 13 points to Munich and seven games left, things are looking very good: “I’m also seeing that many people are slowly shedding their reticence, putting aside their historical trauma and using the M word. It’s really decades old Wounds healed, it’s trauma therapy that couldn’t be better. That makes this sporting situation even more significant,” said Leonard.
The reason for this is the style of play under coach Xabi Alonso, whom Leonard describes as an “absolute gift”. “Bayer 04 plays a style of football that I’ve never seen before – these ball relays, the vertical. What also sets us apart is the incredible depth of the squad, we can rotate with virtually no loss of quality. I’m at a loss for words given our quality,” explains Leonard. In the meantime, the team has built up an unshakable self-confidence that doesn’t leave them even when they are behind and keeps them turning games non-stop.
That moves the fans
Leverkusen’s current success comes with new challenges for the club and fans. According to Leonard, there is an “incredible hype”. “You have to see how you can cope with the fact that we are suddenly traveling to London with 3,500 people for the Europa League game; a few years ago 300 to 500 people would have come.” These are dimensions that the club was previously unaware of.
“The fan scene has to cope with the new rush for tickets, bus offers and other transport options. There is a manageable group of 20 to 50 people who take care of such things in their free time, for which I have the utmost respect – that is an inhumane workload,” explains Leonard. “Success is wonderful, but organization becomes more complicated.”
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Union Berlin has to pay attention to this player
Even though dozens of Leverkusen players have shone this season, one player stands out: Florian Wirtz. The 20-year-old playmaker is the lynchpin of the “Werkself” and has been directly involved in 31 goals in 38 competitive games. “But I don’t actually have to tell anyone how good he is anymore,” says Leonard.
That’s why the B04 fan has another insider tip: Josip Stanisic, on loan from FC Bayern Munich. The defender has been playing very well for weeks and would contribute significantly more offensively than outsiders would assume. “He’s been leading the way for goals from defense lately, but he doesn’t play as spectacularly as other players. He shouldn’t be underestimated.” Here Union may have to press early.
That’s what the coaches say
Nenad Bjelica (1. FC Union Berlin): “Maybe we have to play like aliens to beat Leverkusen. Like Star Trek actors. I have confidence in my team. But what excites us most is to get three points.”
Xabi Alonso (Bayer Leverkusen): Press conference took place after the article was published.
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This is how Union could play
Coach Bjelica will have to do without the injured Janik Haberer, Jakob Busk and Jerome Roussillon for the game on Saturday afternoon. Midfield engine Andras Schäfer, on the other hand, is returning to the squad after his red card suspension and could be in the starting line-up. “He has a good chance,” said Bjelica.
Union’s possible starting eleven: Rönnow – Doekhi, Vogt, Leite – Trimmel, Tousart, Khedira, Gosens, Aaronson, Schäfer – Kaufmann
Prognosis
Opponent expert Leonard: “I have a lot of respect for Union, I really like the club and think they have one of the most beautiful stadiums in this league. The games are always close, Union are incredibly strong at home. Union will try to play along, they have each other visibly improved under Bjelica. It won’t be clear: I’m assuming a close 2-1 for Leverkusen, as quality will prevail in the end.”
Editor’s tip: Despite being strong at home, Union won’t be able to withstand the Leverkusen rush. 2-0 for the Werkself.
Broadcast: rbb24, April 4th, 2024, 9:45 p.m
2024-04-05 06:55:50
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