1st Bundesliga - Union with new courage for final Christmas spurt: Gosens injured
Without Robin Gosens, but with renewed self-confidence, Union Berlin are heading into the end-of-year spurt in the Bundesliga. After ending their winless streak against Borussia Mönchengladbach (3:1) and taking heart from their defeat against Real Madrid in the Champions League (2:3), the Ironmen are aiming for six more points in the relegation battle before Christmas. The first three should come on Saturday (3.30pm/Sky) at VfL Bochum.
"Every game is important, a game against a direct rival is even more important. This is our league at the moment, we have to adapt. If we are able to do that, we have a good chance of winning," said coach Nenad Bjelica on Thursday ahead of the game in the Ruhr Valley. Bochum are currently three points and one place ahead of the Iron, who are 15th.
Gosens will not be able to play against either Bochum or 1. FC Köln on Wednesday (18:30/Sky). The international picked up an injury against Real Madrid. It was reported that the 29-year-old "picked up a knock" against the Whites. Bjelica left it open as to whether the left winger will be back at the start of training on January 2 after the short Christmas break.
"I can't give this date as fixed. It's too early to judge the injury," said the Croatian. Gosens had been playing in a more offensive role under the new Union coach. Bjelica may not decide who will replace the former Inter Milan professional against Bochum and Cologne until Saturday.
Star striker Sheraldo Becker is fit again after an injury lay-off and should definitely get minutes to play, the coach assured. Benedict Hollerbach has the best chance of starting. The attacking player had impressed as a goalscorer against Gladbach - but he was not eligible to play against Real as Union had not registered him for the UEFA European Cup squad.
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- Despite Robin Gosens' injury, Union Berlin in the Bundesliga is determined to secure six more points before Christmas, starting with Bochum on Saturday.
- Nenad Bjelica, Union's coach, highlighted the significance of each game in the league, emphasizing that Bochum and Cologne are crucial matches.
- Bochum, currently in a higher position in the Bundesliga than Union, will be a tough challenge for the Ironmen, who are three points behind.
- Gosens, who was playing in a more offensive role under Bjelica, is expected to miss the Bochum and Cologne matches due to an injury he sustained against Real Madrid in the Champions League.
- Bjelica was non-committal about Gosens' return date, stating that it's too early to judge the injury and he couldn't provide a specific timeline.
- Sheraldo Becker, Union's star striker, has recovered from an injury and is set to feature in the team's remaining matches in the year-end spurt, including Bochum and Cologne.
- With Becker back in the mix, Bjelica may consider Benedict Hollerbach as the replacement for Gosens, given Hollerbach's impressive performance against Borussia Mönchengladbach.
- Germany's Bundesliga is not the only important soccer league this season – teams in North Rhine-Westphalia like Borussia Mönchengladbach and VfL Bochum are also fighting for their positions.
- The Bundesliga's 1. FC Union Berlin and other North Rhine-Westphalia teams will resume their matches after the Christmas break, and fans can follow the action on Sky and other soccer broadcasting platforms.
Source: www.stern.de
