Opponent analysis: RB Leipzig vs. Union Berlin

RB Leipzig vs. 1. FC Union Berlin

 The Red Bull Arena is all set to host another top-of-the-table clash!

On Saturday night, RB Leipzig will host 1. FC Union Berlin in the Bundesliga’s primetime kick-off spot (18:30 CET). Our boys will be looking to build on our strong home form in 2022/23 and to leapfrog the league's current second-place side with a win.

Union travel to Leipzig having won each of their last four Bundesliga games and having reached the quarterfinals of the DFB-Pokal in late January. The Köpenick side are yet to drop points in 2023 and there’s no question that Urs Fischer’s side are one of the league’s top teams, having qualified for the Europa League knockout round play-offs.

Our opponent analysis, presented by German Values, will get you up to date with everything to know about our upcoming opponents. 
 

Facts and figures on 1. FC Union Berlin

Form

Union are currently in second place with 39 points, just one less than league leaders Bayern München (40). They have won 12 times so far this season, something only Borussia Dortmund can match. FCU have continued their strong form from the first half of the season, and have started 2023 with a four-game winning run in the Bundesliga.

Home wins against Hoffenheim (3-1) and Mainz (2-1) have been bolstered by victories on the road against Werder (2-1) and city rivals Hertha (2-0). The Köpenick side have conceded just 23 goals this season, giving them the second best defensive record in the league. On top of that, the club are through to the quarterfinals of the DFB-Pokal – just like RBL – following a 2-1 win at home against Wolfsburg.

Team news

Key players

Picking out the key players in Urs Fischer’s side is no easy task, as the Berliners function as a seamless unit from front to back.

FCU have an excellent goalkeeper in Frederik Rönnow, who has saved nearly 80% of shots faced this season – the best rate in the league. Robin Knoche, the heart of their back-three, is a solid figure in defence.

Former RBL man Rani Khedira, who has become a regular starter in the Bundesliga since leaving the club in 2017, plays an important role in midfield for FCU.

Captain Christopher Trimmel is known for his dangerous set pieces, with Union scoring 12 goals from corners so far this season. 

Up front, Union are able to benefit from Geraldo Becker’s pace (7 goals), as well as Jordan Siebatcheu and Kevin Behrens’ skillful play (both on 4 goals).

New signings

Sporting director Oliver Ruhnert brought in Jérôme Roussillon from Wolfsburg as a reinforcement on the left.

Josip Juranović (pictured above) also joined the club over the winter break from Celtic. The Croatia international featured in both Champions League games against RB Leipzig earlier this season, and finished third at the Qatar World Cup. He has been brought in to replace Julian Ryerson, who has since signed for Dortmund.

Tunisia international Aïssa Laïdouni has also completed a move to the German capital from Hungary’s record champions Ferencváros. The centre midfielder featured for his country at the World Cup in Qatar and was selected as Tunisia’s Footballer of the Year in 2022.

Injuries

FCU have a full squad to choose from ahead of the match against Leipzig. András Schäfer is the only doubt for this weekend with a foot injury.

Find all the latest RBL team news here. 

Head coach 

Urs Fischer (2x Swiss champion with FC Basel) has been at FCU since summer 2018. He has guided the Berliners from the second division to the Europa League in that time. The 56-year-old played for Switzerland’s national side during his playing career, and is known for his tactics and detail-oriented nature.

Fischer prefers to let his side play a 3-5-2, where the aim is to win the ball in midfield and counter quickly.

Head-to-head record

RBL and FCU have met eight times since Union were promoted to the Bundesliga in 2019, including in the semi-finals of the DFB-Pokal in 2022. Goals from André Silva and Emil Forsberg put us through to the final that day (2-1).

The overall record between the sides is balanced, with both picking up four wins in this match-up. The last six matches have been won by just a one-goal margin, with the last five all finishing 2-1. Union won by this scoreline earlier this season on matchday 3.  

Last five meetings: 

• 20th August 2022 | Bundesliga, matchday 3: 1.FC Union Berlin – RB Leipzig 2-1
• 23rd April 2022 | Bundesliga, matchday 31: RB Leipzig – 1. FC Union Berlin 1-2
• 20th April 2022 | DFB-Pokal, semi-final: RB Leipzig – 1. FC Union Berlin 2-1
• 3rd December 2021 | Bundesliga, matchday 14: 1. FC Union Berlin – RB Leipzig 2-1
• 22nd May 2021 | Bundesliga, matchday 34: 1. FC Union Berlin – RB Leipzig 2-1