For Union Berlin, the journey continues in two senses. In the European Cup, there is still a chance to survive the winter – and in the Bundesliga, after the win in Haifa, an away game in Frankfurt is on the agenda.
The matchday schedulers have not been kind to 1. FC Union Berlin this season. Away games in the group phase of the Europa Conference League at Slavia Prague (1:3), Feyenoord Rotterdam (1:3) and Maccabi Haifa (1:0) and the play-off game against Kuopion PS (4:0) in Helsinki were always followed three days later by away games in the Bundesliga.
As a rule, this meant: Travelling, regenerating, rotating and analysing. Nothing will change in this respect. Defender Marvin Friedrich does not want any changes, he emphasised at the press conference in Haifa. Coach Urs Fischer looked slightly irritated when asked about alternatives in this regard.
The players who had not been used in Haifa, or only briefly, ran out a few minutes after the final whistle under the strict supervision of fitness coach Martin Krüger in the then empty Sammy Ofer Stadium.
I am confident he will be an option for the squad again on Sunday.
On Sunday fresh men are theoretically available for the match at Eintracht Frankfurt in the form of defender Christopher Trimmel and attacker Cedric Teuchert. The duo was suspended for the match in Haifa. Goalkeeper Andreas Luthe is likely to be back in the box in place of Frederik Rönnow.
Defender Niko Gießelmann and midfielder Grischa Prömel, who were both substituted, are also set to return to the starting eleven. As against Hertha BSC (2-0), attacker Sheraldo Becker made an eye-catching short appearance in the starting line-up, setting up Julian Ryerson’s goal. If Becker is preferred, veteran Max Kruse or goal-scorer Taiwo Awoniyi could be given a break up front for the time being.
Without detours from Tel Aviv to Frankfurt
For Ryerson himself, Trimmel would be available as at least an equal substitute. The scorer of the winning goal had to leave the field early in Haifa, and after the final whistle an ice pack was emblazoned on Ryerson’s right thigh as he watched the 500 fans celebrating with glee. Head coach Fischer at least believes that the Norwegian international will also be on board in Frankfurt. “He had to be substituted because he couldn’t go any further. But I am confident that he will be an option for the squad again on Sunday “, said Fischer.
Union has benefited in recent weeks from the fact that there have always been few injuries. To keep it that way, the professionals should experience as few strains as possible. That’s why the team didn’t return to Berlin on Friday – they went straight from Tel Aviv to Frankfurt.
