In a double-header, both professional teams of 1. FC Union Berlin will face off against FC Bayern München this weekend, starting as the men's team take to the field against the record champions as part of the 26th Bundesliga matchday. Kick off at the Alte Försterei on Saturday is at 15:30. The women's team will play in Munich against Bayern II the following day.

The lie of the land

With one notable aside, Vincent Kompany’s side have been in excellent form in both the Bundesliga and UEFA Champions League of late, only drawing with Leverkusen (0-0) and at home against Celtic (1-1) since Januray. The unexpected 3-2 home defeat to VfL Bochum last weekend was then followed by the comfortable 2-0 win for the team at the top of the table over Bayer 04 Leverkusen.

Union, for their part, are hoping for their first home points after two recent defeats at home. The 2-1 win to Frankfurt last weekend, however, will have, at least temporarily alleviated many of their ills.

The Opponents

FC Bayern won 11 (eleven) league titles from 2012/13 to 2022/23 until Xabi Alonso's Leverkusen interrupted that seemingly endless streak last summer. In order to make the fans forget this upending of the normal order as quickly as possible, the management duo Christoph Freund and Max Eberl upgraded the team before the season and provided new coach Vincent Kompany with three new top players, Michael Olise, Joao Palhinha and Hiroki Ito, among others. While the Portuguese and Japanese pair have been unable to permanently assert themselves due to injury, Olympic silver medallist Olise has consistently impressed. In the league alone, the versatile attacking midfielder has eight goals and eight assists in 25 appearances so far, helping his team to 61 points, and a clear lead at the top of the table.

The head to head

In 11 competitive matches against Bayern so far, Union have picked up three points from three draws. The record champions have won all of the remaining eight games.

The reunion

Wooyeong Jeong and Benedict Hollerbach are two Union players with a past in Munich. Jeong played for FCB between 2018 and 2020, making 53, whileHollerbach came through the youth ranks at Bayern and played there from 2014 to 2019.

The personnel

Union head coach Steffen Baumgart will not be able to call upon Aljoscha Kemlein and Robert Skov due to injury. Baumgart will be represented by assistant coach Rene Wagner during the game due to his touchline ban.

The coach’s views ahead of the game

“No matter what the situation is, Bayern are always a challenge,” said Union’s head coach, Steffen Baumgart, during his press conference on Thursday afternoon. “Frankfurt last weekend were one of the best teams in Germany, now we're facing one of the best in Europe. We need to have a defensive structure and, of course, we want to find chances up front. I look forward to games like this.”

Service information

As usual, the stadium at An der Alten Försterei opens two hours before kick-off, with tickets for both home and away sections sold out. After the final whistle, fans can bid for the players‘ worn warm-up shirts and support the ’Jugend ahoi" project.

There are still extensive traffic disruptions to local public transport, and travel via the ‘Altstadt Köpenick’ tram routes is only possible with the rail replacement service. All visitors are therefore advised to arrive early.

The game will be broadcast live on SKY. In addition, there will be an audio stream on rbb24 Inforadio and at rbb24. As usual, Union will also provide information on the game on the club's own live ticker, as well as providing live updates in English and Spanish on twitter.