1.FC Union Berlin
Saturday’s battle at the Stadion an der Alten Försterei throws up an interesting encounter between hosts 1.FC Union Berlin and visitors Borussia Dortmund. Kick-off gets underway at 15:30 CET on Bundesliga Matchday 6.
Adding an extra layer of spice to this fixture, Mauro Lustrinelli picked up his first win as coach of the Köpenick outfit last weekend. A marked improvement on previous efforts, with Livan Burcu’s goal downing Elversberg 1-0.
The result seemed to have galvanized the club from the German capital. Now, continuity is the next step, with Lustrinelli unlikely to alter that same winning formula too much unless Emmanuel Latte Lath is fit to replace Skarke.
Although their form hasn’t been perfect thus far, Union Berlin can take some confidence into this specific meeting. Die Eisernen have won four of their seven Bundesliga clashes with the Westphalian giants whilst on home soil.
Team news:
Stanley Nsoki (muscle injury), Andrik Markgraf (ACL) and Josip Juranovic (illness) look likely to sit this one out. Andrej Ilic (food poisoning) and Emmanuel Latte Lath (muscular issues) face a race against time to be available.
Borussia Dortmund
Moving onto the visitors, Borussia Dortmund started the campaign on fire but that spark has failed to flicker in recent weeks. In fact, their turn in form seems to have coincided with the lengthy October international break.
Their run of four consecutive wins in the top flight came to an end when Ludovic Reis and Niclas Füllkrug struck for Werder Bremen in a 2-2 draw. Things didn’t improve during midweek either as BVB met another setback.
Niko Kovač’s ambitious rotation for a tricky trip to Bodø/Glimt in the Arctic Circle went up in smoke. The five changes, largely in attack, went against the Westphalians who suffered a 1-0 loss thanks to Fredrik Sjøvold’s strike.
Kovač now finds himself under pressure, hunting a win in Berlin. A victory would likely lift the gloom off his squad ahead of a busy schedule. Still, most recent trips to Köpenick have been far from a one-sided affairs.
Team news:
Emre Can and Giannis Konstantelias (both ACL tears) remain the two long-term absentees for BVB. Justin Lerma (muscular problems) is also out, however Nico Schlotterbeck should be back after a rest during midweek.
You can see our predicted lineups for the clash of 1.FC Union Berlin vs. Borussia Dortmund here.
