The Europa Conference League is in the past. The immediate future could bring Union a few more points at national level in the last three games of the year – in the best case already in Fürth.
Urs Fischer is a gentleman in this respect. The coach of 1. FC Union Berlin finds positive words for every opponent. He makes no exception for Greuther Fürth, who are bottom of the table and welcome the Köpenicker for their next Bundesliga match on Sunday (3.30pm). “After 14 matchdays, Fürth have one point on their account. I still have to compliment coach Stefan Leitl when I see how he keeps preparing the team for the next task,” Fischer said on Saturday.
Union have 22 points more than Fürth. The Eisernen cannot deny being the favourites, especially as the Franconians have never managed to win a home game in 23 attempts in their entire Bundesliga history.
Fischer: “It’s up to us “
The outcome of the game will also be decided in Union’s mind. On the one hand, they have to cope with Thursday’s knockout in the Europa Conference League with a 1:1 loss to Slavia Prague. On the other hand, in the last three games away from home, Union gave away points – five in total – at Eintracht Frankfurt (1:2), at 1. FC Köln (2:2) and at VfB Stuttgart (1:1). A three-point win in the ghost match in Fürth would at least conceal this away “curse”.
However, the Goliath situation may also increase the pressure on the visitors, who will have to do without their vice-captain Marvin Friedrich, who is ill, in defence. “It’s possible, but we haven’t looked at Fürth’s league position. It’s up to us,” said Fischer.
Fischer announces rotation in moderation
The Swiss announced a rotation in moderation. Compared to the match against Prague, there should be changes here and there. It will be exciting in goal. Against Slavia, Frederik Rönnow, the previous second goalkeeper, was preferred for the third time in the European Cup. The Dane also played in the DFB Cup match against Waldhof Mannheim (3:1 n. V.). In the Bundesliga, however, Andreas Luthe has always played. The crowd favourite, however, has not been faultless recently.
In Fürth we will see whether Luthe is still the favourite. At least his lead doesn’t seem to be that big anymore. Fischer at least found positive words for challenger Rönnow. “He always puts Andreas under a bit of pressure that Andi has to perform as well. From that point of view, I am very satisfied with Frederik’s work,” said Fischer.
Incidentally, Union have only won once in Fürth in a total of twelve second-division encounters. In 2016/17, under then-coach Jens Keller, they won 2-1 in the season finale. Otherwise, there have been four wins for the Spielvereinigung and seven draws in the lower division in Franconia. Now the two sides meet again for the first time in the Bundesliga.
