Big names lure: Union Berlin needs a win against Braga
In the first leg, Union Berlin lost unluckily to Braga. Now the chance for the knockout round in the Europa League should be preserved with a home win. Real top addresses serve as motivation.
fC Barcelona, Juventus, Ajax Amsterdam. Of course, Sheraldo Becker also really wants to continue the Europa League trip. However, Union Berlin’s top striker knows very well that one should not dream of the still prominent opponents in the knockout phase of the European Football Cup. The next opponent is called Sporting Braga and they have to be forced on Thursday (6.45 p.m. / RTL +) in the last home game of the group stage to improve the chances of the next round.
“It’s possible, but we have to win tomorrow and then we can think about other things,” said the fast attacker and demanded in Union style: “Always step by step.” After the 1:2 at VfL Bochum Did they quickly internalize with the Irons that not every winning streak continues automatically. The chase through the three competitions costs energy. It was “really good” to have a day off at the beginning of the week, said Becker.
The eighth game within 27 days in October will be difficult enough. Coach Urs Fischer warned after the overall unfortunate 0:1 in the first leg in Braga against the strong opponent. “We must not let ourselves be lured,” demanded the 56-year-old and demanded “access to the game from the first minute”.
Janik Haberer is available again faster than initially expected. The midfielder can at least be included in the squad a few days after suffering an ankle injury. “He was able to complete the entire training. He is available, »said Fischer. The 28-year-old sustained the injury in Bochum after a rude foul by the opponent. Striker Sven Michel is not available against Braga. The joker fails after a positive corona test.
Union are currently third in Group D, a point behind Braga. League leaders Union Saint Gilloise already have four points more than the Bundesliga leaders. In the event of a defeat, the Berliners would certainly pass the knockout phase in the Europa League and continue playing in the internationally third-rate Conference League in February.
In the event of a draw, staying in the more important Europa League competition would still be possible, but with a win in the last game against Saint Gilloise (November 3rd), Union would have a much better starting position. Then in February there could actually be a showdown with a top club in the category Barca, Juve or Ajax, all of which are threatened with relegation to the Europa League as third in the Champions League.
But Fischer would be the last to speak publicly about tempting contingencies. “We have 90 minutes to decide the game for us,” he said about the task against Braga.