UCL semi-finalists Bayern Munich take on Union after Arsenal win.

2024-09-23

After back-to-back defeats, Union Berlin face the formidable challenge of hosting UCL semi-finalists Bayern Munich this Saturday, aiming to halt their three-game winless streak.

FC Union Berlin

Union Berlin will take on UCL semi-finalists Bayern Munich this weekend, as they look to put an unlikely end to a three-game winless streak after last weekend’s 2-0 defeat to Augsburg. That defeat left Union with back-to-back losses and in 13th place on the Bundesliga table.

Union are only seven points above the bottom three, having accumulated 29 points in what is currently their weakest Bundesliga season. Adding to their tally in a game against a side whom they have never beaten in nine attempts could prove to be a tall order for the visitors, who have won just one of their last seven league games.

Furthermore, Union Berlin, who have the second-worst attacking record in the Bundesliga, could go four games without a goal, having failed to find the back of the net in three previous games. Die Eisernen could take the shape of a 3-5-2 with Mikkel Kaufmann and Benedict Hollerbach in attack once again.

Nenad Bjelica could see as many as three players, including Rani Khedira and Josip Juranovic, back in the squad ahead of Saturday’s clash with Bayern Munich.

FC Bayern München

Bayern Munich qualified for the UCL semifinals after a 1-0 win (3-2 aggregate) over Arsenal in Wednesday’s quarterfinal second-leg clash. A thumping header from Joshua Kimmich in the 63rd minute sent Bayern into their 13th UCL semifinal, with only fellow semifinalists Real Madrid reaching more.

"We needed to find solutions, and we did it as a team. My biggest congratulations and compliments to the team. We are very happy," Thomas Tuchel said in a post-match interview.

Back in the Bundesliga, Bayern’s 11 consecutive title-winning run ended after Leverkusen became champions for the first time. They remain in 2nd place with 63 points (20W, 3D, & 6L), having ended a two-game losing run with a 2-0 win over FC Koln.

Despite having little to play for, Bayern’s objective of finishing as runners-up is being questioned, with 3rd-placed Stuttgart having just as many points. On Saturday, they will be looking to pick up back-to-back victories to tighten their grip on second place.

However, the Bavarians have won just one of their last five Bundesliga away matches (1W, 1D, 3L). A 4-2-3-1 formation with Harry Kane in attack is expected.