Ajax-Union Berlin is the first leg of the Europa League round of 16 play-offs and will be played on Thursday at 18:45: TV, line-ups, predictions.
Union Berlin have already won everyone over in Germany. Now they are trying their hand at Europe, which they have only tasted on two occasions in the past: their only two previous appearances were in the 2001-02 UEFA Cup (they took part despite playing in the lower division) and a year ago, when they managed to snatch a pass for the newly formed Conference League.
For the past couple of seasons, the Berliners have been living a real fairytale, which doesn’t even make the headlines at home anymore. Until 2019 they had never set foot in the Bundesliga and today they are a contender for the title. A word that no one is afraid to say anymore after their five consecutive victories since the league resumed: only Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund can currently boast such a long streak. But the masterpiece was achieved last Saturday in the direct clash with Leipzig, beaten 2-1 in a comeback at the Red Bull Arena. The success that probably consecrates this revelation-team. Which certainly does not have the names of the other big names in the German top league, but which manages to compensate thanks to an impeccable organisation of play and a cohesive group, well coached by coach Urs Fischer.
Union also wants to impress in Europe
The victory in Leipzig allowed Union Berlin to stay in the slipstream of the leading Bayern team, which, however, has only one point more than Khedira and his teammates. The unknowns regarding the possibility of fighting for the Schale until the very last are mainly related to the ability to manage the double commitment, which caused a slowdown in the autumn.
Union Berlin players’ party
Ajax, on the other hand, are one of the relegated from the Champions League: in November the Lancers had to settle for third place behind Napoli and Liverpool in the most important cup. In the Eredivisie they are putting a not exactly easy time behind them. A seven-match winless streak led to the dismissal of former coach Alfred Schreuder, whose experience ended after only a few months. His successor John Heitinga, a former Dutch national team defender, got off to a flying start with four wins out of four, bringing Ajax to within three points of first place, momentarily occupied by rivals Feyenoord.
The Prediction
A convalescent Ajax should at least be able to avoid defeat in the first leg, and then go all out in Berlin in a week’s time. There is curiosity as to how the Union coach will handle the costly double commitment. And above all, with which attitude he will face a team that has much more experience in Europe. A great balance is expected in Amsterdam: both are likely to score at least one goal each.
Ajax v Union Berlin likely line-ups
- AJAX (4-3-3): Rulli; Rensch, Alvarez, Timber, Wijndal; Berghuis, Taylor, Klaassen; Kudus, Tadic, Conceicao.
- UNION BERLIN (3-5-2): Ronnow; Doekhi, Knoche, Leite; Juranovic, Thorsby, Khedira, Laidouni, Roussillon; Becker, Jordan.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-1
