Union Berlin seek to cement themselves as the city’s number one side

It’s been a fine start to the season for Union Berlin who currently sit in fifth place in the Bundesliga, eight spots above their cross-city counter parts, Hertha.

Having not lost since the first game of the season after a 3-1 home defeat to Augsburg, Urs Fischer’s side have only conceded five goals since. Meanwhile, Hertha find themselves only three points off of the relegation play-offs having conceded 18 goals so far this season.

The key to Union’s success so far this year has been in 32-year-old forward, Max Kruse, who signed on a free transfer. Kruse has recorded nine G/A so far, contributing to 50 percent of ‘Die Eisernen’s’ goals.

In their first ever season of Bundesliga football, Union finished in 11^th place following their relegation play-off promotion in what was arguably the most important 1-1 draw in the club’s history. Now just into their second year of top-flight football, Fischer’s side are the cool kids on the block, with a miniscule budget and an immense fan culture around the club.

However, on the West side of Berlin this is a different story, Hertha have spent a total of 37 seasons in the Bundesliga albeit not consecutively. Hertha last suffered relegation to the 2. Bundesliga in 2012 in which they only spent one season in the second tier of German football.

Herthaner are deemed to be the wealthiest club in Berlin, which is seen in their net spends. Union Berlin in this summer window had a net profit of £3 million compared to their rival’s loss of over £20 million in only one transfer window.

The key to Die Rote und Weiss’ success recently is due to the work ethic of the players and their style of ‘punk rock’ football. Union are a side that take great pride in tradition; living off of passion and emotions which is shown in their style of play. As well as this, a solid defence has been the lime light at the Stadion An Der Alten Försterei, with Marvin Friedrich and Robin Knoche at the heart of defence and a safe pair of hands in Andreas Luthe.

Whilst finding themselves in a positive position, it’s of great importance Fischer’s men don’t get complacent. Union Berlin face a tricky five games as the Bundesliga coasts into December in which they’ll face Hertha, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund before hosting Paderbon in the DFB-Pokal ahead of the winter break.

A top half finish would have seemed absurd for Union fans to dream of, but if their fine form continues it isn’t an impossible task, which will see them become Berlin’s top footballing side if Hertha continue to languish in the low end of the Bundesliga despite their big spending habits.

Fischer spoke up upon Union’s recent success in a press conference prior to their away win at Cologne.

“The team of Union has changed. We had a good pre-season, especially with a full squad… We’ve improved our play with the ball, we can’t get complacent”

The Coronavirus pandemic has had detrimental affects on all clubs across the world, due to COVID-19 there have been no fans allowed in ‘elite’ sports stadiums. A key driving point behind Union Berlin is there fan base, a die-hard culture surrounds the club and with a lack of that you’d have thought it would hinder the club.

Since the start of the 2020/21 season, fans within the Bundesliga have been permitted, however at a much-reduced capacity, allowing for supporters of Union Berlin see their team strive for success in the top flight as they look to cement themselves as Berlin’s number one footballing side.

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