Union Berlin – Real Madrid : Preview & Prediction
Union Berlin ended their 16-match winless streak (E3, P13) with a 3-1 win over Borussia Mönchengladbach on Saturday, a major morale booster ahead of their final UEFA Champions League (UCL) group-stage fixture. After picking up just two points from a possible 15 on their debut in Europe’s top competition, the Berlin club needs to beat Real Madrid and Napoli to do the same against Braga to book their place in the UEFA Europa League.
There is no margin for error for Die Eisernen, who will have to give their all before continuing their fight to move further away from the Bundesliga relegation zone. Union Berlin have lost both of their UCL home games by the narrowest of margins, but they head into the clash against Los Blancos on the back of their first home win since August (E1, P6), so coach Nenad Bjelica may feel his side are coming out of the doldrums.
Already qualified for the round of 16 as top of their group with five wins, Real Madrid will be looking to finish a UCL group stage with a perfect record for the third time, something only Bayern Munich have achieved. Carlo Ancelotti’s side travels to the German capital after drawing away to Betis -one of Bjelica’s former clubs-, earning a point that ended up being insufficient to maintain the LaLiga lead, now commanded alone by the incredible Girona.
Ancelotti will demand the greatest effort from his players to achieve what would be his 42nd win at the helm of Real Madrid in the UCL, with which he would surpass Miguel Muñoz as the coach with the most victories in the top continental competition in the history of the white club. Madrid have lost four of their last 11 away games in the UCL (G6, E1, P4), but their recent record against German clubs is more positive: Los Blancos have suffered just one defeat in their last six visits to Bundesliga sides in the UCL (G3, E2, P1).
Players to watch: Kevin Volland has been on target in two of Union Berlin’s last three games, scoring his side’s opening goal on each occasion. Jude Bellingham, who on 29 November became the first Real Madrid player to score in each of his first four UCL games, broke the 0-0 draw against Real Betis last Saturday.
Key statistic: Real Madrid have scored four goals in the UCL after 75 minutes this season (Union Berlin: nil).
Union Berlin – Real Madrid : Betting Tips
Real Madrid – Win Odds: 1.80
