Union Berlin travel to Munich on Friday evening (20:30, Sky) for one of the season's toughest fixtures. Coach Mauro Lustrinelli views the match against the record champions as an important lesson for his team, despite the difficult circumstances.
The statistics tell a clear story. In eight away games at Bayern Munich, Union have suffered seven defeats and one draw. The goal difference stands at 2:18. In the last five meetings in Munich, Union failed to score a single goal. The team sits 16th in the Bundesliga table with just one point from three matchdays and has lost its last two games against Bayer Leverkusen and Schalke 04 by 0-4 and 1-3 margins.
Lustrinelli, who has recorded two losses and one draw since taking charge, used vivid imagery ahead of the game. "We need a certain resilience," said the 50-year-old. "Like a two-year-old with his bicycle, learning to ride." The coach stressed that the process of getting back up and continuing after a fall is key. He saw initial positive signs in the second half of the 1-3 defeat to Schalke, where the team showed lightness and dynamic energy, giving Lustrinelli hope for the future.
Against Bayern, however, he expects no easy evening. "For me, it will be a great challenge to play against a team that has the ambition to win the Champions League," Lustrinelli said. He knows many teams have failed in Munich with various tactics once Bayern hit their flow. His focus is therefore on disciplined defensive work and consistent, efficient action. A win is not expected, but a learning curve is.
The current form and upcoming tasks can be tracked in our standings and fixtures pages. After the Bayern match, the next challenge awaits on November 21 with a home game against fifth-placed RB Leipzig. Top scorer Tim Skarke, who scored the consolation goal against Schalke, has two goals this season. Union must learn from setbacks to regain ground in the league.
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