Union Berlin vs Augsburg preview: Union aim for first win under Baumgart

Union Berlin

Union Berlin's defeat to Heidenheim, a team that had lost eight and drawn one of their previous nine matches, may appear disappointing on the surface. However, the hosts' underwhelming performance is somewhat understandable, given they were reduced to 10 men as early as the 37th minute.

The defeat to Heidenheim marked manager Steffen Baumgart's first match in charge of Union Berlin. Despite the loss, captain Christopher Trimmel remained optimistic about the team's performance, particularly during their time with 11 players on the pitch. He told reporters, "For the short time we've had with the new coach, a few things have been really good. We need to continue."

Interestingly, while Union's attacking struggles are evident with just 14 goals scored, the third-worst tally in the Bundesliga, their defence has been much more solid, conceding only 21 goals, which ranks them as the joint third-best defensive team in the league.

Die Eisernen are currently on a 10-match winless run, having lost seven and drawn three during that stretch. At home, they have yet to secure a win in their last four matches, although their record at Stadion An der Alten Försterei remains relatively strong, with only one loss in their last seven home games. They started the season with three consecutive home victories.

Team News

Baumgart will be missing suspended wing-back Tom Rothe, along with injured goalkeepers Frederik Ronnow and Yannic Stein.

With wing-back Josip Juranovic also unavailable, captain Christopher Trimmel and Robert Skov are expected to play on the flanks of a back three consisting of centre-backs Danilho Doekhi, Kevin Vogt, and Diogo Leite.

Midfielder Laszlo Benes is a doubt due to stomach issues, which could lead to a midfield duo of Rani Khedira and Aljoscha Kemlein starting for Union.

Augsburg

Augsburg have little to argue about following their defeat to Stuttgart, as they produced just 0.3 xG, managed only two shots on target, and failed to create any big chances.

Manager Jess Thorup acknowledged that his team was outclassed for stretches of the match and admitted they could have been more effective in the attacking third. He reflected, "First, I’d like to congratulate the opponents. They started the game very well, and we struggled to put them under pressure."

"From the halfway point of the first half onwards, we improved, pressed high, and regained possession well on several occasions," Thorup continued. "In that period of momentum, however, we failed to convert our chances into goals. In the second half, we kept working hard, which makes the 1-0 defeat even more painful."

Although Augsburg have scored three more goals than Union Berlin, their defensive struggles have been evident, as they've conceded 12 more goals. Their 20 goals scored and 32 goals conceded give them the fourth-worst offensive and joint third-worst defensive records in the Bundesliga.

Thorup will be concerned by his side’s recent form, as they have lost their last three matches by a combined score of 8-1. Additionally, they have won just once in their last eight Bundesliga games, suffering four defeats in that stretch.

Augsburg's away form is also worrying, having lost five, drawn two, and won only two of their nine road matches this season.

Team News

Augsburg will be without defenders Maximilian Bauer, Mads Valentin Pedersen, Keven Schlotterbeck, and Marius Wolf. This leaves them with a likely back three of Noahkai Banks, Dimitrios Gouweleeuw, and Chrislain Matsima.

Midfielders Masaya Okugawa and Yusuf Kabaday will not be included in the matchday squad, meaning Frank Onyeka, Kristijan Jakic, and Elvis Rexhbecaj are almost certain to start in midfield.

In attack, strikers Alexis Claude-Maurice and Phillip Tietz are expected to lead the charge for Thorup’s side.