FULL TIME
As it happened: 1. FC Union Berlin 0-3 Eintracht Frankfurt
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You can check out the latest match reports and analysis right here.
Signing off
And that is that from Köpenick.
Union Berlin are languishing third-bottom with six points and don't have much to look forward to.
In midweek, they travel to Napoli in the Champions League, followed by top-of-the-table Leverkusen.
It's not beyond the imagination to see Union losing both of those games in this form.
For Frankfurt, they travel to HJK in Finland and then to Bremen. Everything is looking up for the visitors.
Thank you for tuning in and, until next time, all the best!
Post-match comments
After the game, both managers spoke to the media in very different moods.
Urs Fischer was, unsurprisingly, deflated and frustrated.
He said that game plans go out the window when a side concedes inside three minutes and then it's an uphill struggle.
His side were chasing the game and whilst they improved in the second half, they had too much to do.
In contrast, Dino Toppmöller is relaxed, light-hearted and even shares a smile or two.
His side were professional, organised and disciplined. They did everything he wanted and more.
Marmoush was faultless and proved the difference in what could have been a tight game.
Frankfurt celebrations
🫶 "3 Tore, 3 Punkte"-Party!
–––––#FCUSGE 0:3 | #SGE pic.twitter.com/j6ljLyuTGt — Eintracht Frankfurt (@Eintracht) November 4, 2023
Union support
And that, Unioner, is that.
The stadium sings.
The players are distraught.
Everyone gave so much.
So much heart.
Sod it. Heads up. It'll come. Eisern!!!! pic.twitter.com/QhtnjQUJvf — 1. FC Union Berlin (English) (@fcunion_en) November 4, 2023
Match summary
Frankfurt came flying out of the traps with a brace from star striker, Omar Marmoush as Union were sluggish.
The hosts eventually woke up and dominated possession and chances.
David Fofana missed a host of opportunities to bring Union back into the game but goals have been hard to come by for die Eisernen.
Eventually, Ferri sealed the victory for the visitors as Frankfurt moved within one point of Hoffeinheim in sixth and extended their unbeaten run to six games.
With twelve consecutive defeats now in all competitions, a storm is brewing in Köpenick and it is unclear when the clouds will clear.
Unlucky 12
It’s now 12 consecutive defeats in all competitions for Union Berlin.
They had chances today but can’t seem to stop the rot.
Fofana was the highlight and Behrens offered a welcome threat but they could not find the goal they’re attack deserved.
Man of the match: Marmoush
With his two goals proving the difference, there is only one obvious man of the match.
Marmoush took the game away from Union within 25 minutes with two well-taken goals brining his tally to a career high, 10 for the season.
Home support
Still the Union fans keep singing.
They have been relentless in their support and deserve better than 12 consecutive defeats.
Added time
There are four minutes being added to the 90.
So close for Union!
It’s nearly 3-1.
Most of the stadium think Union of scored as Fofana slides in the goal he deserves.
But the Referee calls play back for a handball.
It’s all going against Union at the moment.
Goal!
It’s 3 and it’s Ferri.
Union pushing for a goal but sliced through the heart.
Ferri picks up a through ball and toe pokes the ball past Rönnow.
Game over.
75’
With 15 to go, Union are still struggling to find their rhythm.
They have dominated possession and chances but the players still seem to be at odds with eachother.
The tactic seems to be find Behrens or Fofana but the midfielders are getting in eachothers way.
It’s just not going to be Union Berlin’s day again.
Penalty shout
Laidouni and Union fans are calling for a penalty but it would have been soft as the midfielder jumps in to an outstretched leg.
20 to go
Union Berlin are still huffing and puffing, the fans are still singing, the drums are still banging and the hosts are so close to celebrating.
Behrens is on the end of a Laïdouni cross but gets his angles wrong when unmarked.
His header is inches wide of the post.
Atmosphere building
That has woken up both sets of fans from their half time slumber.
Union building momentum here.
Save!
A spectacular save from Trapp!
Fofana turns in the box and his shot looks destined for the bottom corner but Trapp gets his fingertips to the ball.
That was special.
Substitution
It was a matter of time.
Hollerbach has struggled and is replaced by Kevin Behrens.
Inside a minute he has a golden chance, but steers Becker’s cross wide from six yards.
55’
10 minutes gone in the second half and no chances of note.
Union are still playing 4-3-1-2 formation but struggling to breakdown Frankfurt’s 4-3-2-1.
Apologies
Sorry for any intermittent reporting as a result of unreliable internet signal here in Berlin.
Second half.
After a pause for Pyro smoke from Frankfurt fans, we are back underway.
Back in 15
Go grab a cup of tea, Bovril, your beverage of choice.
It is cold here and I’m off to warm my hands and find some wifi!
Half-time
And that is that.
No added time as Union continued to press for a goal but to no avail.
Frankfurt deservedly lead at the break thanks to two well taken goals by in-form Marmoush.
Union on top
40’ gone and Union finally on top.
Fofana has a chance from the edge of the box but fires over.
Another good opportunity for Union.
35’
Union building pressure as they control the possession and look for openings but Frankfurt look organised and resolute.
End-to-End
20 minutes gone here and Union Berlin have finally woken up.
A weak effort from Fofana on the edge of the box is followed up by a header against the bar as Union push for a goal.
Easy as you like.
It’s 2-0 inside 15 minutes as Marmoush taps in a cross from the right.
Union defence chasing shadows.
Frankfurt in dreamland!
Goal!
2-0 Frankfurt and it’s Marmoush again!
1-0 Frankfurt
Frankfurt won a soft free-kick on the left. The ball fell to in-form Marmoush, who confidently slid the ball past Ronnow from the edge of the box.
Union stunned.
Goal!
Inside two minutes, the visitors are ahead!
what a start!
Kick-off
With cloud from Frankfurt’s pyro party shrouding the pitch, the game has kicked off to ferocious noise from all sites of Köpenick.
Frankfurt are in white and Union in their customary red home kit.
Nina Hagen
The Union fans are bouncing, the flags are waving and the noise is building.
Nina Hagen’s dulcet tones (Google her) are now being sung by the 22,000 fans in attendance.
”Eisern Union!” Greets the players as they walk out
Pre-match rituals
With five minutes to go, that means only one thing in Köpenick:
Nina Hagen.
Eintracht Frankfurt
The away end is a sea of black as the Frankfurt fans unveil a banner calling on their side to fight.
10 minutes
Under 10 minutes to Kick-off and the atmosphere here is electric.
The fans have been in position for at least an hour and the locals gave the Union side a special rendition of their anthem as they finished their warm-up.
Urs Fischer
An extraordinary reception for Urs Fischer as he makes an appearance on the sidelines.
Most fan bases would turn on a coach after 11 consecutive defeats but not Union Berlin
Team News: Frankfurt
The big news for Frankfurt is that Gotze only makes the bench.
That leaves Marmoush responsible for leading the line and continuing his goalscoring form.
Team News: Eintracht Frankfurt
🦅🗞️
So starten wir in der Hauptstadt!#SGE | #FCUSGE pic.twitter.com/2iRlZCko7D — Eintracht Frankfurt (@Eintracht) November 4, 2023
Team News: Union Berlin
The big news for Union is the return of Chelsea loanee, David Fofana back into the squad and starting line-up after his spat with Coach, Urs Fischer two weeks ago.
That means Behrens drops to the bench as Hollerbach and Sheraldo Becker keep their places in the side that lost last week.
Team News: Union Berlin
And the starting XI is in.
Eisern!!!#FCUSGE pic.twitter.com/f0NwLnAacC — 1. FC Union Berlin (English) (@fcunion_en) November 4, 2023
The Stadium
Frankfurt have provided a quick video to bring you closer to the action today.
Here is the Alten Forsterei in all it's glory.
👋 Gude, @fcunion_en!
— Eintracht Frankfurt (@eintracht_us) November 4, 2023
A quick look at our hosts’ stadium from outside and by the pitch! 🏟️
🔜 #FCUSGE pic.twitter.com/WIuskUpXJe
Players arriving
Hereinspaziert! 🏡🌤 pic.twitter.com/ViIhsA19rM — 1. FC Union Berlin (@fcunion) November 4, 2023
Autumn has arrived
Fag smoke and grill smoke rising into the sky. There's thousands of chattering Unioner and the terraces of the Alte Försterei are fillling up.
We are the lucky ones. #FCUSGE pic.twitter.com/6N06UJHaTt — 1. FC Union Berlin (English) (@fcunion_en) November 4, 2023
Köpenick
But all eyes here are on Union Berlin vs Eintracht Frankfurt as the hosts look to end their 11 game losing streak in front of a sell-out crowd.
Team news coming up next.
Elsewhere in Bundesliga
It is a busy day in Germany's top division today as 12 teams are in action.
Before Dortmund face Bayern Munich in the highlight of the wochenende this evening, Hoffenheim welcome Leverkusen, Leipzig travel to Mainz, Freiburg host Monchengladback and Koln play Augsburg.
Atmosphere
The Stadium is filling up nicely as the Union and Frankfurt fans take their places in the stands.
The Alten Forsterei is terraced on three sides, making for a wonderful cauldron of noise.
Team news is 15 minutes away but a quick reminder that there is no Rani Khedira for die Eisernen today following his red card last weekend.
Mario Gotze is touch and go for Frankfurt, awaiting a late fitness test.
What is to come
We will have all the team news, views, and action from the Stadion An der Alten Forsterei as it happens so stay tuned.
Setting
In the South-East corner of Berlin, surrounded by old trees and forest is the not-so-sleepy district of Köpenick.
It is an idyllic setting away from the hustle and bustle of the central streets and is home to Union Berlin.
It's matchday!
Hello and welcome to matchday 10 in the Bundesliga from the German capital!
It is just over two hours to kick-off and the fans are slowly strolling through the surrounding woodlands of Köpenick to the grand old stadium in the first
Stay Tuned
We will have live updates right here on VAVEL.com as Union Berlin welcome Eintracht Frankfurt to Köpenick.
This is one you will not want to miss as Union look to end their poor form at the hands of in-form Frankfurt.
On paper, the result seems inevitable but fortunately for us, football isn't played on paper.
Head Coach: Urs Fischer
Whilst the Board has come out in support of Fischer, the Union Head Coach is, inevitably, feeling the pressure. In his pre-match press conference, Fischer told the press:
"We've drawn up a plan for how we want to approach the game and have to push ourselves to the limit for 90 minutes, because Frankfurt are very stable at the moment,” said Union’s head coach Urs Fischer during his regular press conference on Friday afternoon. “They had a few problems at the start of the season, but they've now found their feet. You can clearly see the coach's signature: they are variable in their positional play, have enormous pace on the wings and are dangerous from set pieces. Their strikers are agile and lively, and always get behind the defence."
"We'll do everything we can to win the game and make sure that Union don't win back any of their self-confidence due to a poor opening phase on our part,” said Eintracht coach, Topmöller, meanwhile. “We have to be brutal from the very first minute, we are very well prepared and confident that we can take something with us."
TV coverage
In Germany, Sky are showing the game live. There will also be an audio stream on rbb24 Inforadio and rbb24. With Sky Sports UK showing Dortmund vs Bayern Munich after this game, VAVEL.com is the only place you will be able to follow Union Berlin vs Frankfurt as it happens.
Timings
Union Berlin vs Frankfurt kick-off is 15:30 local time and 14:30 in the UK.
Elsewhere:
India, 19:30
New York, USA, 10:30
Brazil, 11:30
Head-to-Head
The first meeting between the two clubs was more than twenty years ago.
Union lost 4-0 at home and since then have won just three times out of 15 encounters.
However, last time out, Union ran out 2-0 winners at home, thanks to goals from suspended Rani Khedira and German international, Kevin Behrens.
Key player: Eintracht Frankfurt
If Gotze is fit, and it is a big if, he and his side will be looking to Omar Marmoush for attacking impetus.
The Egyptian has scored four goals in his last 240 minutes of action.
Marmoush has completed 90 minutes just twice in the last two seasons but he is not wasting his opportunities this time around.
His two goals against Dortmund came inside the opening 25 minutes and he is already halfway to his highest career goal tally.
Union's defence will need to be alert to Marmoush's fast starts if they are to have any happen of victory.
Key player: Union Berlin
Sheraldo Becker has led the line and the side throughout this poor run of form.
Union's captain often provides the tempo and the width but has scored only twice since September, a brace at home to Braga in the Champions League.
If Union are to have any chance of winning a game, Becker will need to find his shooting boots.
The hosts xG has rarely got above 0.5 all season and they managed just two shots on target last time out.
Desperate times call for heroes... Becker needs to pick up the phone.
Predicted line-up: Eintracht Frankfurt
If Gotze does find fitness in time, he will bring a smile to many Frankfurt fans.
Grahl; Tuta, Koch, Pacho; Buta, Larsson, Skhiri, Max; Gotze, Chaibi; Marmoush
Predicted line-up: Union Berlin
It is still unclear when Chelsea loanee, David Fofana will be welcomed back into the side after internal issues with Head Coach, Urs Fischer and so it is unlikely the side will change much from last week's defeat:
Ronnow; Bonucci, Knoche, Leite; Trimmel, Laidouni, Kral, Aaronson, Gosens; Becker, Behrens
Team news: Eintracht Frankfurt
Frankfurt will have to do without Simon Simoni and Sebastian Rode due to injuries.
Kevin Trapp and Mario Gotze are also in doubt with back issues.
Mehdi Loune and William Pacho complete the injury list.
Team news: Union Berlin
Union Berlin are without Rani Khedira through suspension following his red card against Werder Bremen last weekend.
Janik Haberer is suffering with illness and requires a late fitness test.
Danilho Doekhi, Josip Juranovic and Andras Schafer are all confirmed out with injuries.
Officials
The Referee for this match is Jablonski who has been in charge of four Bundesliga games so far this season.
He has yet to give out a red card but averages 3 yellow cards per game.
This will be the first time the Referee has officiated Union Berlin
Form guide: Eintracht Frankfurt
The visitors travel to the capital in 7th place and a run of five games without defeat.
Leading the chasing pack for European qualification, Frankfurt are four points off Hoffenheim and full of confidence. Following a 3-1 win away to Hoffenheim in mid-October, Frankfurt have beaten HJK in the Europa Conference League and Victoria Koln in the DFB Pokal, interspersed by a 3-3 draw with Borussia Dortmund in the league. The odds for victory against Union are stacked in favour of Frankfurt.
Form guide: Union Berlin
In recent seasons, Köpenick has been a fortress for Union Berlin.
After an unbeaten season at home last year lifted die Eisernen into the Champions League for the first time, this season's form has seen them reach unprecedented lows.
Following 11 consecutive defeats in all competitions, Union find themselves 15th in the Bundesliga, one place above the relegation zone.
In midweek, Union lost to Stuttgart in the DFB Pokal and a week ago, the hosts went down to Werder Bremen as Rani Khedira was sent off. Something has to give for Urs Fischer's side to turnaround this dire streak but it will take an almighty effort to beat Eintracht Frankfurt this afternoon.
Match information
The match will be played at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei in Köpenick.
It is always a hostile affair when Union Berlin are at home, cheered on by over 22,000 Unioners in a compact and raucous stadium.
If you ever get the chance, it is a stadium and atmosphere like no other in European football.
Stay Tuned
My name is Oscar and I will be your host for this Bundesliga game from the German capital.
You will receive all the pre-game analysis, score updates, and news as it happens live, here on VAVEL.
So stay tuned for what will be an enthralling encounter between two sides in very different form.
Welcome
Welcome to VAVEL.com's coverage of the 2023/24 Bundesliga tie between Union Berlin vs Eintracht Frankfurt live updates!