Urs Fischer’s every tactical decision will be under razor sharp observation when his beleaguered Union Berlin side tries to arrest an alarming loss of form that has witnessed the side from Germany’s capital lose six matches in a row. The Swiss coach is a folk hero among club fans for masterminding the club’s ascent from the depths of Bundesliga II to European qualification and then Champions League football in less than half a decade.
Tuesday’s 2-3 setback at home to Sporting Braga was particularly painful as Union had raced to a 2-0 lead courtesy of a brace from skipper Sheraldo Becker. It could get worse before it gets better as Saturday’s opponents Borussia Dortmund boast a formidable head to head record in matches against the visitors. The Iron Ones have lost on all four visits to Signal Iduna Park.
Borussia Dortmund are yet to hit peak form but they are joint third along with Bayern Munich on 14 points from six outings. Summer recruit Niclas Fulkrug has for now won the battle with Sebastian Haller for a starting slot along with red hot Dutch striker Donyell Malen and the evergreen Marco Reus.
Unlike Dortmund who were held to a goalless draw by AC Milan, Thomas Tuchel’s champions go into Sunday’s match at home to Freiburg buoyed by a 2-1 Champions League victory over FC Copenhagen in a game in which 18-year-old Mathys Tel enhanced his burgeoning reputation by grabbing a late winner. The Frenchman who has averaged a goal every 49 minutes this season, also has the highest goals to minutes figures in Bundesliga history.
Weekend action commences on Friday night with a relegation slugfest between winless sides, Borussia Moenchengladbach and Mainz before second placed Stuttgart defend their lofty league position at home to Wolfsburg in one of five games scheduled for Saturday. Leaders Bayer Leverkusen host Koln hardly 72 after they overcame Norwegian side Molde 2-1 in the Europa League.
FRIDAY
Gladbach v Mainz
SATURDAY
RB Leipzig v Bochum,
Borussia Dortmund v Union Berlin,
Augsburg v Darmstadt,
Stuttgart v Wolfsburg,
Werder Bremen v Hoffenheim
SUNDAY
Bayer Leverkusen v Koln,
Bayern Munich v Freiburg,
Frankfurt v Heidenheim