Union Berlin Seeks First Win at Bayer Leverkusen in Bundesliga Showdown

LEVERKUSEN, Germany — Union Berlin aims to achieve a historic milestone as they face Bayer Leverkusen in a Bundesliga matchup on Saturday, marking the first time they seek an away victory against the defending champions.

Currently on a strong performance streak against higher-ranked teams, Union hopes to secure their third consecutive away win, dispelling any lingering relegation concerns. However, the Köpenicker have never won at Leverkusen, with only one success in 14 previous Bundesliga encounters.

Union coach Steffen Baumgart, optimistic about his team’s prospects, emphasized the significance of this game. “Winning here would mean a lot to us, especially since we’ve faced challenges in the past,” he said. “We want to build on our recent performances and continue our upward trajectory.”

Union enters the match with their confidence buoyed by a four-match unbeaten streak. The guest team will feature the return of Andrej Ilic, who missed playing time due to knee discomfort but is now ready to contribute.

The starting lineup for the match includes goalkeeper Frederik Rönnow, defenders Daniel Doekhi, Leon Querfeld, and Paulo Leite, while the midfield is bolstered by Christopher Trimmel, Salif Khedira, and Josip Juranovic. Up front, Ilic is paired with Tim Skarke due to Benedict Hollerbach‘s absence.

“Every game is a new opportunity, and we’re preparing to face our fears,” said Ilic as he gears up for the challenge. “It’s crucial for us to perform well and take the points home.”

The match will be broadcast live on rbb UM6 and is expected to draw a considerable audience as fans anticipate an intense battle on the pitch.