- Trimmel and Khedira are absent from the Union - Kral before the changeover
Without Christopher Trimmel and Rani Khedira, Bundesliga club Union Berlin kicked off the penultimate week of training before the DFB-Pokal opener. Captain Trimmel was rested due to load management in the first training session after the 0:4 defeat in the test match against Olympique Lyon last Saturday. His deputy Khedira is still ill and is expected to return to training on Thursday, Union announced. Both professionals were also absent in the test against the French first division team.
Goalkeeper Yannic Stein and defender Josip Juranovic also had to sit out the training session in front of 150 fans. Both players are said to be carrying knocks. In contrast, midfielder Alex Král was granted leave for "personal matters". The Czech has no chance of a starting spot and has already been used in the unusual position of central defender during the preparations. According to media reports, Král is set for a move to Spanish first division side Espanyol Barcelona.
Union coach Bo Svensson's team will play their last test match of the week against Spanish first division side Real Sociedad San Sebastián at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei on Friday (7:00 PM).
Despite the absence of Christopher Trimmel and Rani Khedira due to load management and illness respectively, Union Berlin's football league preparations continue. Joship Juranovic and Yannic Stein also missed the training session due to injuries, while midfielder Alex Král was given leave for personal matters and is reportedly close to joining Espanyol Barcelona.
