1. FC Union Berlin's unbeaten start to the calendar year was broken in Leipzig as Urs Fischer's side suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat at the Zentralstadion.
Julian Nagelsmann's team, second in the Bundesliga, bagged the points at home with a 70th-minute strike from Emil Forsberg, who came off the bench a few minutes later.
With three games in a week, Urs Fischer utilised the squad depth at the Zentralstadion with Christopher Trimmel and Grischa Prömel dropping out to save some energy. Julian Ryerson and Sebastian Griesbeck were brought into deputise, while Cedric Teuchert replaced Sheraldo Becker who picked up a knock in the win over Leverkusen. After eight minutes, the Köpenick club played into a good position against the run of play with a superb, defence-splitting pass from Robert Andrich. The midfielder found Teuchert through on goal but the ball bobbled away from his control as he looked to build on his winning goal at the Alte Försterei last week. Union's energy and determination kept Leipzig at bay for the majority of the half, but Julian Nagelsmann's team caught a glimpse of the target in the 37th minute. Christopher Nkunku found space to the right of the Union central defenders but blazed high over the target.
Fischer's first glance to his bench was to hand a debut to Leon Dajaku and bring in Marius Bülter for fresh legs in the forward areas. Despite the home team's control of the ball, Union's first foray into the last third almost resulted in a goal but Dayot Upamecano made a fantastic intervention against Marcus Ingvartsen. Leipzig took advantage of their next opportunity and found a route past Andreas Luthe. Substitute Forsberg found an inch of space inside the box and finished off impressively with a right-foot shot in the 70th minute. Christian Gentner, Keita Endo and Niko Gießelmann were introduced as Union looked for new ideas in attack. Marcus Ingvartsen took a knock in the penalty box, but the referee Sascha Steegelman awarded no penalty. The Dane shot over shortly after and Leipzig goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi kept his handling secure in the final minutes as the Köpenick club's pressure in the final minutes came to nothing.
Next up for Union Berlin is Saturday's trip to FC Augsburg.
Union Berlin face second-placed Leipzig
Match preview
1. FC Union Berlin head to Leipzig on Wednesday evening (20:30), looking to maintain the unbeaten run in the new calendar year.
Review
Cedric Teuchert's 88th-minute winner against Bayer Leverkusen at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei secured a superb three points in the quest for Bundesliga stability. The substitute striker netted his first goal since November and decided a game that could have been sown up earlier after an impressive second-half performance from Urs Fischer's side. Union's strong record was also continued, which includes a win against Borussia Dortmund and draws against Bayern Munich, Wolfsburg and Borussia Mönchengladbach.
Opposition
Meanwhile, Julian Nagelsmann's Leipzig are currently one of the teams vying to knock Bayern Munich off their perch in the Bundesliga. Although Leipzig could only manage a draw in Wolfsburg, they are four points off the Bavarians with a UEFA Champions League Last 16 tie versus Liverpool to look forward to in the coming months. Despite taking the lead at the Volkswagen Arena with Nordi Mukiele's fourth-minute goal, Wolfsburg turned the game around with goals from Wout Weghorst and Renato Steffen. Willi Orban bagged a point for Nagelsmann's side shortly after half-time. At home, Leipzig have failed to win two of their last three home games at the former Zentralstadion — 0-0 against 1. FC Köln and 1-3 defeat to Borussia Dortmund.
"They are a top candidate after Bayern. A team with huge quality in every area. Physically, with pace, but also technically in the game, they are an excellent team. We need to be ready from the very first minute. It'll be a really hard game," said the Union head coach at the pre-match press conference.
Personnel
Urs Fischer has contended with fitness issues off the back of the game against Leverkusen. Sheraldo Becker was substituted after 23 minutes and Grischa Prömel picked up knocks but have taken part in training and could be available. Christian Gentner's training in the last weeks have allowed him to be in contention for a place in the squad. Max Kruse remains in rehabilitation, while Florian Hübner will see a specialist after an injury in Friday's victory.
Service
Wednesday's match against Leipzig will take place behind closed doors.
