Can tiny Union Berlin topple the record UCL winners Real Madrid?
Real Madrid vs Union Berlin - 20/09/2023
Christian Bertrand / Shutterstock.com
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Who would have thought Union Berlin would reach the Champions League? For so long, the Irons were the second team of the German capital.
But on Wednesday, they kick off the Champions League group stage, firmly as the No. 1 team in Berlin.
First up for Union are Real Madrid, the record Champions League winners. Los Blancos won the competition on 14 occasions.
This season, Carlo Ancelotti is aiming to win for the 15th time but must do it without the big stars of the past.
Wednesday’s match will be the first time Real Madrid and Union Berlin face off in European competition.
It will be a historic moment for Union, who were playing in the 2 Bundesliga not long ago.
Madrid go into the match with a 100% domestic record. Los Blancos are a perfect five wins from five.
Karim Benzema may have left the club, but Ancelotti restocked the squad.
No player has impressed this season for Madrid as much as Jude Bellingham. The summer signing has five goals in five appearances in La Liga.
Bellingham will be certain of a place in the starting XI. Fellow new signing Joselu is second in goals with two.
Union Berlin limp into Wednesday’s Champions League opener. The team lost its last two matches in the Bundesliga, A 3-0 loss to Leipzig was followed by a 2-1 defeat to Wolfsburg.
The two-game losing streak followed a three-match winning run to start the campaign.
Coach Urs Fischer will be without at least two players due to injuries. Forwards Laurenz Dehi and Andras Schafer are both ruled out for matchday No. 1 of the Champions League.
Forward Kevin Volland should be available. He is suspended domestically but is available for the Champions League. Meanwhile, midfielder Rani Khedira is nearing full fitness following a calf injury and could play.
Ancelotti has a few injuries to key players ahead of Wednesday night. Forward Vinicius Jr. is out with a thigh injury. Defender Eder Militao is out with an ACL injury.
Thibaut Courtois is also unavailable due to an ACL injury. Arda Guler is still out of action with a new problem.
Madrid may have a few injuries, but they still have enough talent to hurt Union Berlin. Group C is a tough group, featuring Sporting Braga and Napoli too.
Real Madrid should get off on the right foot with a 2-1 win at full-time. It will be their sixth straight win to start the new season.
Home team
Away team
Pred
Correct score
Avg. goals
Weather conditions
Coef.
Score
Live
coef.
UCL
602614
1
2 - 1
2.78
23°
1.36
1.36
5.25
7.50
no
no
no
1 - 0(0 - 0)
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