Real Madrid end their Champions League group stage campaign at Union Berlin having made light work of Group C.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side have won all five group games thus far and will sail into the knockout stages as group winners.
The Italian boss has been forced to navigate an injury crisis, too, which makes their productive start to the season all the more impressive. However, they were usurped at the top of La Liga on Sunday night following Girona’s stunning victory over Barcelona.
Union Berlin’s maiden Champions League campaign hasn’t quite gone to plan. However, they have picked up two points from their last two group games and new manager Nenad Bjelica has certainly brought stability to the German capital. Victory on matchday six and they might sneak into the Europa League.
Here’s 90min’s preview of Real Madrid’s trip to Berlin on Tuesday night.
Union Berlin vs Real Madrid H2H Record (Last Five Games)
Current form (all competitions)
United Kingdom, United States & Canada
|
Country |
TV channel/live stream |
|---|---|
|
United Kingdom |
TNT Sports 4, discovery+, discovery+ app |
|
United States |
Paramount+ |
|
Canada |
DAZN |
Around the World
The hosts will be without suspended duo Leonardo Bonucci and Lucas Tousart, although neither player started Union’s 3-1 victory over Gladbach at the weekend.
Bjelica will use Saturday’s win as a template moving forward, and the new manager would be silly to make many changes to his starting XI in midweek.
Union Berlin predicted lineup vs Madrid (4-2-3-1): Ronnow; Juranovic, Knoche, Leite, Roussillon; Haberer, Khedira; Hollerbach, Volland, Gosens; Behrens.
The Spanish giants have received positive news on the injury front as of late, with Vinicius Jr and Aurelien Tchouameni both expected to make their recoveries from their respective issues sooner than expected. However, neither player will be available on Tuesday.
The visitors have also lost Dani Carvajal until the new year. The Spaniard joins a long injury list that also contains Eduardo Camavinga, Arda Guler, Thibaut Courtois, and Eder Militao.
Fringe players such as Joselu, Dani Ceballos, Nico Paz, and Nacho should all start.
Madrid predicted lineup vs Union Berlin (4-3-1-2): Lunin; Vazquez. Rudiger, Nacho, Garcia; Kroos, Paz, Valverde; Brahim; Rodrygo, Joselu.
Union have undoubtedly improved with Bjelica at the helm, and the German club will be desperate to conclude their first Champions League campaign with a memorable victory. Who knows when they’ll be back in the competition?`
The hosts will be aided by Madrid’s status as group winners with Ancelotti poised to rotate heavily on Tuesday night.
While Madrid will still boast the superior personnel despite the likely rotation, this has the makings of a special night for Union off the back of a rare Bundesliga win.
Prediction: Union Berlin 2-1 Real Madrid
READ THE LATEST CHAMPIONS LEAGUE NEWS, PREVIEWS & RATINGS HERE
Read More: World News | Entertainment News | Celeb News
90Mins
