Key Takeaways
- Union Berlin have secured just one point from their last five Bundesliga matches since appointing Marie-Louise Eta as head coach.
- The Berlin club hold an unbeaten home record against Köln in the top flight since earning promotion in 2019.
- Köln enter the match on an eleven-game winless streak and will be without injured striker Ragnar Ache for the rest of the season.
Both clubs approach this weekend’s fixture with survival on their minds as they sit precariously above the relegation zone. Union Berlin hope to end a dismal run of form that has seen them plummet down the table following the departure of Steffen Baumgart.
Since Marie-Louise Eta took charge, the capital side have managed only a solitary point from five league outings. Their latest setback came last Sunday when they fell to a 3-1 defeat away at RB Leipzig, marking their second straight loss.
Yet hope remains for the hosts when they play in front of their own supporters. Union have scored in every home league match since January’s meeting with Borussia Dortmund. This attacking record should trouble a Köln backline that has looked vulnerable throughout the campaign.
History also favours the home team. Since climbing to the Bundesliga in 2019, Union have never lost to Köln on their own patch in the league. The visitors will also lack the threat of Ragnar Ache, who joins a lengthy injury list after missing the Leverkusen match.
Köln’s own struggles continued last weekend despite a promising display against the champions. René Wagner suffered his first defeat since replacing Baumgart in March, with his side falling 2-1 at home to Bayer Leverkusen despite creating numerous opportunities.
The Billy Goats now face an eleven-match sequence without victory in the league. Their defensive frailties are a major concern, having shipped at least two goals in each of their previous five top-flight contests.
Teenage forward Said El Mala carries the attacking burden for the visitors. The 19-year-old Germany Under-21 international missed a clear opening against Leverkusen last week and has not scored from open play in four appearances since Wagner switched to a two-striker system.
Speaking before the clash, Eta acknowledged the tense atmosphere surrounding the club. “In such a phase like now in the season there is always going to be pressure somewhere. This is something that we and the players know,” she stated.
Wagner, meanwhile, respects the challenge ahead. “I myself have experienced in Berlin what sort of a force the team can conjure up. But we had a great game against Bayer and we want to work on giving us a great game against Union Berlin,” he remarked.
Team News
Union face a goalkeeping crisis with first-choice Frederik Rønnow sidelined by a groin problem and backup Alexander Schwolow also unavailable. Wooyeong Jeong remains doubtful for Saturday’s encounter.
Köln’s injury woes are more severe. Ache is ruled out for the campaign alongside defenders Timo Hübers and Luca Kilian. Midfielder Isak Jóhannesson serves a one-match ban after accumulating yellow cards.
Predicted Line-ups
Union Berlin (3-4-2-1): Klaus; Doekhi, Querfeld, Leite; Trimmel, Khedira, Kemlein, Köhn; Schäfer, Burke; Ilić.
1. FC Köln: Schwäbe; Sebulonsen, Simpson-Pusey, Özkacar, Lund; Maina, Kauß, Martel, Kaminski, El Mala, Waldschmidt.