Germany: Bundesliga
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Union Berlin
Schalke 04
By Peter Weis@PeterVicey

Loris Karius to start for Union on Saturday

A personal matter will keep Union Berlin #1 Andreas Luthe out of the starting XI this coming Saturday against Schalke.

The absence paves the way for Loris Karius to finally start in the Bundesliga for the first time since 2016.
Loris Karius.
Loris Karius.Photo: Антон Зайцев, Soccer.ru, CC BY-SA 3.0
On-loan Liverpool keeper Loris Karius certainly had to wait his turn for a chance to earn a start between the sticks in his home country. The 27-year-old found himself behind veteran Andreas Luthe on the depth chart. Head-coach Urs Fischer saw no reason to give his higher profile netmider a go when the veteran continued to exhibit solid form. 

Karius made one brief relief appearance and also played the second round fixture of the DFB-Pokal. Karius allowed in three goals in the 2-3 defeat to SC Paderborn 07. In thirty minutes of relief against Borussia Mönchengladbach in round 19, he recorded eight touches and made one save. 

Speaking to reporters after the Gladbach match, the former Mainz prospect said, "I actually clearly see myself settling into goal here. I came in a bit late and Andi had the positions secured after a couple of matches. I'm still confident I'll get my assignments."

Unio trainer Fischer revealed the news at a Thursday presser. The club's head-coach also explicitly ruled out a return for Max Kruse or Sherlado Becker in the weekend fixture.

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