1.FC Union Berlin’s focus returns to league action this weekend following the international break as we reach the final stretch of the 2.Bundesliga campaign. On Sunday April 1 (13:30), Andre Hofschneider’s side head south to face Greuther Fürth, one of the league’s recent in-form teams.

Seven games left: the final sprint

Speaking at his pre-game press conference, Hofschneider spoke positively about the work over the last two weeks, which has given Union time to work on the training field. The Köpenick side went through their paces during the international window against Wolfsburg (0-3) and Holstein Kiel (2-3). There were highlights to take from both matches, particularly the performances of the U-19 players who enjoyed some brief game time at first-team level.

However, Sunday’s business is serious: 15th-placed Greuther Fürth are just three points behind Union who ran out 3-1 winners in the reverse fixture in October. While the likes of Kaiserslautern and Darmstadt have threatened a revival at the bottom of the league, Damir Burnic’s men have stepped up to the mark and collected 16 points from the last 30 available.

“We go to Fürth with respect, but also with enough self-confidence. We won the last game there; everything else we have to show on the pitch. It doesn’t do us too good to talk about it before we have done anything,” said 47-year-old Hofschneider.

Hofschneider’s selection issues: changes are likely

Union Berlin will leave the Alte Försterei this weekend without a number of key players available. Steven Skrzybski and Marc Torrejon picked up muscle strains and are unlikely to feature on Sunday afternoon. Akaki Gogia is still in some discomfort with his ankle problem, so won’t be available for selection. There are no changes to the status of long-term absentees Sebastian Polter, Michael Parensen and Fabian Schönheim.

Elsewhere, Kenny Prince Redondo could be an option following a solid international break in training where he featured in a large chunk of the Wolfsburg fixture.

Union strongly backed on Easter Sunday

More than 1,000 Union supporters will make the long journey to Fürth over the holiday weekend. There are tickets still available for home and away supporters and the box office on location.