- Union before the season opens: 'taking another step'
Berlin (dpa/bb) – Following a six-day training camp in Neuruppin, the professionals of 1. FC Union Berlin are eager to implement what they've learned in their season opener. Under new coach Bo Svensson, the team has shifted towards pressing football with quick ball recoveries. "We hope we can put it into practice well on Saturday and take another step," said captain Christopher Trimmel ahead of the match against Olympique Lyon at the Stadion an der Alten Försterei (5:00 PM).
Last Saturday, Union drew 4-4 with Glasgow Rangers. "The last game was a bit wild," Trimmel recalled. Following the draw, the team had intense training sessions in their second training camp to prepare for the upcoming Bundesliga season. "It was a tough week of training," Trimmel said.
For the final session, Svensson closed training to the public after around 200 fans had attended each of the previous days at the Volksparkstadion in Neuruppin.
As part of a double season opener, Union's women's team, newly promoted to the 2nd Bundesliga, will also play at the Alte Försterei against Bundesliga side Werder Bremen on Saturday (1:00 PM). At 3:30 PM, all players from coach Ailien Poese's team will be presented on the pitch. At 4:00 PM, Svensson's team will follow.
So far, Union has sold over 10,000 tickets for the first-ever joint season opener for women and men.
Reports: Puchacz likely to leave
For the men's team, new signing Laszlo Benes from Hamburger SV could make his Union debut. Benes has only been training with Union for ten days due to his participation in the Euros with Slovakia. Defenders Jerome Roussillon (recovering from a thigh injury) and Kevin Volland (knee injury) remain sidelined.
It's also unlikely that defender Tymoteusz Puchacz will play. The loanee from 1. FC Kaiserslautern, who hasn't been seen in any public sessions due to thigh problems, is reportedly set to join Bundesliga newcomers Holstein Kiel.
After an intense training camp, Union aims to showcase their pressing football during the opening season match against Olympique Lyon. Despite the uncertainty about Tymoteusz Puchacz's availability due to reported transfer to Holstein Kiel, the men's team is excited to welcome new signing Laszlo Benes from Hamburger SV to their season opener.
