After a whole season without playing against FC Schalke 04, 1. FC Union Berlin will travel to the “Knappen” for the fourth game of the 2022/23 Bundesliga. Kick-off at the Veltins-Arena is on Saturday, 27.08.2022 at 15:30. There will be noise and excitement, some familiar faces and some older foes.

The Opponents

It was FC Hansa Rostock who were indirectly responsible for Schalke's extraordinary comeback last season. Under coach Dimitrios Grammozis, the Gelsenkirchen side lost 4-3 at home to Hansa with half of the season already played out. The consequence being that Grammozis had to go. His assistant Mike Büskens - who knows the club as well as almost anyone - took over.

At that time Schalke were stuck down in fifth place, six points away from the play-off place. But Büskens’ appointment had an immediate effect, revitalised, they won eight of their remaining nine games, the only exception being the 4-1 mauling at home to a Bremen side that went on to finish second in the league.

Then, after finding themselves 2-0 down at home to St. Pauli, they somehow turned the game around, winning 3-2 on what was the second last day of the season. With this they sealed promotion after only a year in the second flight, ultimately being crowned as champions the next week after beating Nuremberg.

For the new Bundesliga season Büskens shuffled along the bench, becoming co-trainer once again, and making space for Bielefeld’s Frank Kramer to take over as head coach.

Due to their 2020/21 relegation (and despite their consequent promotion), Schalke's budget was greatly reduced, causing a big shake-up of the squad. More than a dozen players left, and even more came in. But S04's most important transfer had already emerged earlier on in the season. Rodrigo Zalazar’s performances in the middle of the pitch had already attracted attention in the 2.Liga, and now he is coming ever more into focus in the Bundesliga. Zalazar has developed into a key player for Schalke.   

The Reunions

Three of Schalke's attacking players have Eisern roots, so to say. The first of which, Simon Terodde, was probably the greatest reason for their promotion, scoring 30 goals in 30 games. He never set the Alte Försterei alight like he would other teams after his departure, but Terodde scored 25 times in 93 games for Union between 2011 and 2014 and set up a further 13 goals.

Then, more recently, Marius Bülter and Sebastian Polter can even look back on playing together in twelve games for Union. Polter will always be remembered as a great identification figure, and a hero of the club's glorious promotion campaign, while Bülter’s successes came as he helped the club stay up in the Bundesliga once they’d arrived.

On the other hand, Union’s ‘keeper, Frederik Rönnow, has worn the famous royal blue jersey of Schalke, but during the relegation season of 2020/21, he was plagued by injuries and only made eleven appearances. 

The Personnel

Timo Baumgartl is back in training, but is being carefully introduced to the squad. Otherwise, head coach Urs Fischer has the entire squad at his disposal. 

The coach’s views ahead of the match.

For Union head coach Urs Fischer, his opponents at the weekend are no ordinary promoted team:

"Schalke are one of the biggest clubs in Germany. The stadium can build up this force, pushing them forward. They have an organised team, plus they like to stretch teams at the back and always to win the second balls. They also have a strong mentality and work tirelessly."

Schalke's Frank Kramer particularly singled out Union's compactness ahead of the clash:

"Their strength is in their continuity. It's all very balanced and compact. You have to work for everything against them, you don't get anything for free."

Service info: The away block is sold out.

There are no remaining tickets available for away fans, and the turnstiles open at 13:30. The Union Zeughaus on wheels will be there. Further information for travelling fans can be read here.

The match will be broadcast by Sky.

As usual, Union will also provide updates during the match on the club's own live-ticker in German and on Twitter in English.