Real Madrid will visit Union Berlin as they look to make it six wins out of six in the Champions League group stage. Union Berlin is at the bottom of Group C, and Los Blancos has already won the division. The hosts need to defeat Carlo Ancelotti’s team and hope that Braga loses to Napoli to take third place and go to the Europa League knockout stage.
Preview (Union Berlin vs. Real Madrid)
Since taking over at the end of November, Nenad Bjelica, 52, has guided Union Berlin to one victory and one tie in his first season as head coach. The team’s first Bundesliga victory since the end of August came on Saturday when they defeated Borussia Monchengladbach 3-1. As a result, they now rank 15th in the standings with 10 points. In their most recent Champions League match, Die Eisernen managed to salvage a point in a 1-1 draw against Braga, maintaining their hopes of placing third in the group. Indeed, the German team would finish third if Union Berlin defeated Real Madrid and Braga fell short against Napoli.
Union Berlin qualified for the Champions League group stage for the first time last season. They finished fourth in the Bundesliga. However, they have struggled to move up to the top table, collecting just two points from five games. It leaves them at the bottom of the section. The Iron Ones are coming up against a Real Madrid team after losing 20 of its 35 previous away games against German opponents. This should give the hosts confidence going into what is, on paper, a very difficult encounter. The Iron Ones have won three of their last five home European games.
Real Madrid defeated Napoli 4-2 at Bernabeu on November 29 to make it five victories out of five Champions League games this season. As section champions, they went on to the competition’s knockout stage. Although Los Blancos have performed admirably thus far in the competition. They narrowly defeated Union Berlin in the rematch, with Jude Bellingham scoring the game’s winning goal in the ninetieth minute. Real Madrid comes into this game with two more league games remaining against Villarreal and Alaves. Before this encounter, they drew 1-1 with Real Betis in La Liga, which put them atop the standings with 39 points.
Team News
Due to a leg injury, Union Berlin will be without Danilho Doekhi on Tuesday. Sheraldo Becker is questionable for the home team because of a knock. With Kevin Behrens, who has four goals this season, leading the line, the Bundesliga team is otherwise in excellent form and there shouldn’t be any major surprises in their starting lineup. With five goals this season, Robin Gosens leads the club in scoring. He will likely play off the left once more, with Kevin Volland likely to play on the other side. With Dani Carvajal, Vinicius Junior, Eduardo Camavinga, Arda Guler, Éder Militao, Thibaut Courtois, and Aurelien Tchouameni absent due to injuries, Real Madrid revealed their roster on Sunday.
This would be an ideal opportunity to give the midfield player a night off. Joselu may get a chance in the last third. Nacho, Kepa Arrizabalaga, and Dani Ceballos may also be added. Ancelotti is expected to rotate after the match against Real Betis this coming weekend. While Luka Modric is anticipated to start again, David Alaba and Toni Kroos may get a rest.
Union Berlin 1 – 2 Real Madrid
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