Union face Chemnitzer FC
DFB Pokal Round 1:
1. FC Union Berlin will start the new competitive season on Monday August 1 in the first round of the DFB Pokal against Chemnitzer FC.
The match at the Stadion An der Gellerstraße and starts at 18:00 local time.
Pre-season Review
Urs Fischer’s side have enjoyed an intensive but rewarding pre-season ahead of the new season. Camps in Bad Saarow and in Austria were a success, while Union have looked to reinforce the squad ahead of competing in three tournaments this campaign. Ten new players have joined the ranks at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei – the latest is Norwegian international Morten Thorsby who met the group for the first time in Austria. Defeated DFB Pokal semi-finalists, Union have been preparing for another assault on the competition. Saturday saw Union 1:0 against Nottingham Forest.
Opposition Report
The league season for Chemnitzer FC starts next week at home to Tennis Borussia in the Regionalliga Nordost. The 12-time Saxony Cup Winners are looking to make the step into the German 3.Liga, but will face some stiff competition and a complex play-off process. The 12th of those Saxony Cup triumphs was in May, a 2-1 win over Chemie Leipzig to secure a place in the German DFB Pokal. Christian Tiffert is the man in control and has been looking to rebuild this summer. Top scorer in the league Kevin Freiberger left for FC Gütersloh, while Kevin Aigner joined Schweinfurt. Tiffert hasn’t been slow to sign off on the incomings with Robert Berger from Lok Leipzig, Michel Ulrich from Hansa Rostock, Lukas Stagge from Fürstenwalde, Stefan Pribanovic from Halberstadt and Stephan Mensah from Rosenheim.
Coaches before the game
Markus Hoffmann said: "Of course we have to accept the role of the clear favorite. But at Chemnitz you can already see Christian Tiffert's handwriting. CFC have a team that plays for possession and is compact, but also plays courageously."
CFC's head coach Christian Tiffert said: "We don't want to freeze in awe, the game should be a highlight for us. I don't want the guys hiding when they're playing to a full house. Of course we're playing against a first division team and we're the blatant underdogs. But we want to try to play our football."
Service
Union will have an away following of more than 2,000. All tickets are sold out. All important fan information is available here.
