Union Berlin finds itself in a must-win situation on Tuesday night as they host Real Madrid in the Champions League. A victory over the already-qualified Spanish giants is the only way for the German club to keep its European dreams alive.
Union Berlin currently sits at the bottom of Group C with just two points, having failed to win a single Champions League match so far. However, a win against Real Madrid, coupled with a loss for Braga against Napoli, would propel Union into third place and a Europa League berth.
The task at hand is monumental. Real Madrid has dominated the Champions League, winning a record 14 titles. In contrast, Union Berlin is making its debut in the competition after a surprising fourth-place finish in the Bundesliga last season.
Despite lofty expectations, Union’s season has been underwhelming. The arrival of experienced players like Leonardo Bonucci, Robin Gosens, and Kevin Volland did not yield the desired results, leading to instability on defense and a lack of attacking efficiency. This ultimately cost coach Urs Fischer his job, replaced by Nenad Bjelica.
Union finally managed to snap its 16-match winless streak across all competitions with a 3-1 victory over Borussia Mönchengladbach on Saturday. Kevin Volland opened the scoring with a penalty, followed by first Bundesliga goals for Benedict Hollerbach and Mikkel Kaufmann.
Real Madrid, meanwhile, enters the match looking to bounce back from a disappointing 1-1 draw with Real Betis. The Spanish giants have already secured top spot in Group C and are expected to rest some key players.
Union can draw some inspiration from their performance in the 1-0 loss to Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu in September, where they held their own until a 94th-minute winner by Jude Bellingham.
The match will be played at the historic Olympiastadion in Berlin, offering Union fans a unique opportunity to witness their team’s Champions League debut. With a packed stadium and the possibility of European football on the line, Union Berlin will be hoping to upset the odds and defy expectations.
Will Union Berlin be able to pull off the unthinkable and defeat the mighty Real Madrid? The answer will be revealed on Tuesday night.
