Union Berlin and Hertha BSC in the Ruhrpott summit with BVB and Schalke 04

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On Sunday it’s the capital against Ruhrpott twice: Union Berlin welcomes Schalke 04 in the Alte Försterei and Hertha BSC has to play at BVB.

Berlin – On Sunday it’s twice the capital against Ruhrpott, if Union Berlin on the 21st matchday in the old forester’s house Schalke 04 receives and Hertha BSC at the BVB must compete in Signal Iduna Park.

In the first leg, Union Berlin shot Schalke 6-1 out of their home Veltins Arena.

In the first leg, Union Berlin shot Schalke 6-1 out of their home Veltins Arena. © David Indian song/dpa

The conditions for the two capital clubs could hardly be more different.

First, the East Berliners, who are bursting with self-confidence, have to compete against the crisis club from Gelsenkirchen at 3.30 p.m. (DAZN). The Knappen have not won in seven games and have been at the bottom of the table for some time.

After all, the Royal Blues were able to record a draw three times in a row and indicate an upward trend, so the Köpenickers should definitely be warned. Coach Urs Fischer (56) made that clear in the press conference before the game: “They go into direct duels a lot and often go for the second ball. I think it will be a difficult game.”

Union Berlin in the middle of a three-way battle for the top of the Bundesliga: FC Bayern is already waiting!
1. FC Union Berlin
Union Berlin in the middle of a three-way battle for the top of the Bundesliga: FC Bayern is already waiting!

However, the home side can go into the duel with the Revier-Klub with extremely broad chests, because the Reds are almost unbeatable, especially on home soil. In addition, there are five Bundesliga victories in a row and with the sixth one could take the top of the table again after FC Bayern lost 3-2.

With Marius Bülter (29), Simon Terodde (34) and, since January, Tim Skarke (26), three ex-Unioners are returning to Wuhlheide on Sunday. The fourth in the group, Sebastian Polter (31), has to pass due to injury.

Union Berlin can regain the top of the table, Hertha BSC needs air in the relegation battle

Hertha BSC has to convince with a fighting performance against the in-form BVB.

Hertha BSC has to convince with a fighting performance against the in-form BVB. © Soren Stache/dpa

The situation is currently very different in the western part of the capital. The old lady is bobbing like Schalke at the bottom of the table, slipped back to a direct relegation zone thanks to the 3-0 win by VfB Stuttgart under ex-Hertha coach Bruno Labbadia (57).

Although they were able to score a remarkable 4:1 home win against Borussia Mönchengladbach on the last match day, it remains to be seen whether this is a real liberation or just a flash in the pan.

And now, of all times, the difficult away game at an extremely in-form Borussia from Dortmund is coming up. The black and yellow are currently in just as good a mood as Hertha’s capital city rivals.

Union Berlin Blog: Off to the big premiere!
1. FC Union Berlin
Union Berlin Blog: Off to the big premiere!

Thanks to the 1-0 victory in the Champions League against Chelsea, coach Edin Terzic’s (40) team is even a bit better and has won all previous duels in 2023.

Nevertheless, Hertha coach Sandro Schwarz (44) wants to “continue to remain courageous against Dortmund. We have to defend compactly as a team, if we get the ball then we need a good occupation of the penalty area and a good offensive spirit,” announced the 44-year-old in advance of the game.

The Berlin teams could also help each other with a win: Union would give the Spree-Athenians a little more breathing room in the relegation battle, which in turn could keep their rivals in the fight for the Champions League at bay – a real win-win situation!

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