Bjelica under pressure to succeed on Union debut in Braga
Nenad Bjelica is under great pressure to succeed in the Champions League on his debut as coach of Bundesliga club Union Berlin. The Köpenickers, who are without a win in 15 competitive games, must score at Portuguese first division side Sporting Braga on Wednesday (21:00/DAZN) to keep their chances of qualifying for the Europa League alive.
Braga are in third place with three points after a 3-2 win in the first leg at Union. Berlin have only picked up one point from their four games so far with a 1-1 draw in Naples and will host leaders Real Madrid on the final matchday of Group C. Third place entitles them to a place in the Europa League after the winter break, while international business is over for the team in fourth place after six matchdays.
Bjelica will be without defender Danilho Doekhi in the north of Portugal. It is still unclear whether Sheraldo Becker, who scored both Berlin goals in the first leg of the 3-2 defeat at the Olympiastadion in Berlin, will play.
Despite Union Berlin's struggles with no wins in 15 competitive games, they must earn a victory against Sporting Braga in the Champions League to keep their hopes of qualifying for the Europa League alive. Regardless of Sheraldo Becker's availability, Bjelica's 1st FC Union Berlin faces a challenging task, as they aim to threaten the Champions League group stage opponents who currently hold a 3-2 lead from the first leg.
Source: www.dpa.com
