The second participation in a row in international business has made the Bundesliga soccer club 1. FC Union Berlin more self-confident. “We show the necessary respect for every opponent,” said coach Urs Fischer ahead of the Europa League group draw on Friday (1 p.m.). At the same time, the 56-year-old Swiss made a declaration of war: “We’re trying to go onto the pitch and make the game successful for ourselves.”
Last season, the Berliners failed in the group phase due to eventual finalists Feyenoord Rotterdam and Slavia Prague. In view of the good early form of the Unioner, who are in third place with seven points after three Bundesliga games, a winter in a class higher competition does not seem unreasonable. And that despite top-class participants such as Manchester United with superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, Arsenal London, Lazio and AS Roma as well as Real Sociedad San Sebastian and Real Betis Sevilla.
