After Wednesday's DFB Pokal success in Verl, 1. FC Union Berlin will aim to make ground in the Bundesliga when they face Werder Bremen at the Weser-Stadion on Saturday at 15:30.
Review: Cup progression for both teams in midweek
Robert Andrich's powerful strike booked Union's place in the draw for Sunday's quarter-final – the first time Union have reached the stage for 19 years. The midfielder's third of the competition was the difference against a stubborn SC Verl, with very little to show between the teams until the 85th minute goal. It was an important result for Urs Fischer's team following the heaviest Bundesliga defeat (0-5) so far last Saturday at Borussia Dortmund. Though the afternoon was difficult for Union, Fischer was boosted by the return of Grischa Prömel, the midfielder successfully coming through appearances in both games this week.
Meanwhile, Florian Kohlfeldt breathed a massive sigh of relief as Werder stunned Borussia Dortmund to go through to the last 8 and ease the pressure on the under-pressure coach. Davie Selke's first for the club and Leo Bittencourt fired the hosts into a two-goal lead in a chaotic first 30 minutes. Erling Haaland pulled one back for Dortmund, but Milot Rashica put Werder back in the driving seat to see through a place in the quarter-finals. In the league, Werder are in the relegation zone with 17 points in total – two better off than Paderborn at the foot of the table. Last week, the club from northern Germany lost in Augsburg to late goals from Florian Niederlechner and Ruben Vargas. The reverse game between the sides, a 3-2 win for Werder, is the club's only home victory in the Bundesliga this season.
Record: Action-packed duel at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei
In 2009, Werder Bremen won 5-0 at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei in DFB Pokal competition. This season saw the first competitive meeting between Union and Werder in the league, following our promotion to the Bundesliga. Florian Kohlfeldt's team ran out 2-1 winners in Köpenick after a frustrating 90 minutes for Fischer's men. Davy Klaassen scored an early penalty, which was cancelled out by Sebastian Andersson's goal from the spot. Rafal Gikiewicz saved a second spot-kick for the visitors before Niklas Füllkrug headed in at the corner kick to give the home team the edge.
Personnel: Friedrich banned
Fischer will be forced into a defensive change this weekend with Marvin Friedrich sitting out a one-game suspension on Saturday. The central defender picked up his fifth caution in the Bundesliga in last week's defeat at Borussia Dortmund. Joshua Mees, Manuel Schmiedebach, Laurenz Dehl and Andy Gogia are also missing.
Service: Sold out, but special train available
The away end at the Weser-Stadion is completely sold out, but there are tickets still available for Saturday's special train from Berlin to Bremen. More information is available here.
