13 August 2021, 21:58 | 28 August 2021, 15:29
German Bundesliga fixture, F.C. Union Berlin vs. Bayer 04 Leverkusen kicks-off at 14:30 (GMT+1) on Saturday, August 14, at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei.
Preview 1. FC Union Berlin Bundesliga, Aug 14, 2021
Preview F.C. Union Berlin will be aiming for a top-four finish this season after a 7th-place finish with 50 points at the end of last season. A busy transfer window saw the Iron Ones complete the signing of the 24-year-old Nigerian, Taiwo Awoniyi on a permanent deal from Liverpool for €6.5M after an impressive season-long loan. They also acquired left-back, Tymoteusz Puchacz for €3.5M while Rani Khedira joined on a free transfer. German goalkeeper, Loris Karius was shipped back to Liverpool after his season-long loan spell came to an end. In preparation for the new season, Union Berlin played several pre-season club-friendly games, - defeating the likes of Dynamo Dresden, 3-0, Ligue 1 side, OGC Nice, 2-0 and Spanish side, Athletic Bilbao, 2-1. They also picked up a 1-1 draw against Dynamo Kyiv in another pre-season club-friendly. The impressive pre-season tour would help steel the Iron Ones as they head into their opening game of the season against the Company's Eleven on Match Day 1. Urs Fischer could line up with three at the back in a 3—4—1—2 formation with the attacking duo consisting of Taiwo Awoniyi and Andreas Voglsammer leading the front line.
Preview Bayer 04 Leverkusen Bundesliga, Aug 14, 2021
Preview An official statement by the club unveiled newly-appointed coach, Gerardo Seoane at the helm after taking over from interim manager, Hannes Wolf for the start of the new season. Bayer Leverkusen qualified for the UEFA Europa League with a fifth-place finish after picking up 63 points last season. Former coach of the Swiss side, BSC Young Boys, Gerardo Seoane aims to finish inside the top-four with the Company's Eleven at the end of this season. Seoane led the Swiss Super League side to a title win before arriving at Bayer Leverkusen. Ahead of the new season, Bayer Leverkusen took part in several club-friendly matches, - defeating the likes of SC Rot-Weiss Oberhausen, 3-1, and Lokomotive Leipzig, 3-0. They added Mitchel Bakker to the squad for €7M from PSG while Odilon Kossounou signed up from Club Brugge on a five-year deal for €23M. Being the first competitive match for Gerardo Seoane at the club, he would be looking to start off on a bright note and select maximum points. A 4—2—3—1 formation with Patrik Schick leading the attack is expected when his side makes their first appearance of the season. On availability, right-back Timothy Fosu-Mensa and center-back Edmond Tapsoba remain doubtful for this fixture. Mitchel Bakker is also listed on the injury sheet alongside centre-forward, Lucas Alario.