Union without Baumgartl and Schäfer against Fürth
Union Berlin head-coach Urs Fischer confirmed at a Wednesday presser that both defender Timo Baumgartl and attacker Andras Schäfer would remain unavailable for the Friday encounter with SpVgg Greuther Fürth.
| Timo Baumgartl. | Photo: 1. FC Union Berlin |
Baumgartl was set to return from serving a suspension last week, but has fallen ill. One assumes that Dominique Heintz will once again start in Baumgartl's place. Fischer will also have to do without one of his preferred offensive pieces as of late.
Hungarian attacking midfielder Andras Schäfer, used as a substitute in rounds 29 and 30 and a starter in last weekend's 2-1 comeback win over RB Leipzig, must sit out the coming encounter with COVID.
Fürth actually upset Union Berlin in the reverse fixture, pulling out a 1-0 victory in what was then the Middle Franconian club's first win of the season. Fischer dismissed the previous result, admitting of course that he wasn't exactly sure what to expect from Fürth this time in their transitional period.
"It's difficult to say," Fischer noted, "Anything's possible. They could play more liberated, but it's always a tough situation when you get relegated."