Union Berlin faces a goalkeeper crisis ahead of their first competitive match of the season in the DFB Cup. As reported by the Berliner Zeitung, first-choice keeper Frederik Rönnow and his deputy Matheo Raab are both not fully fit for the opener against Eintracht Braunschweig on August 23.
Who will start in goal against Braunschweig?
The clear favourite to start the cup match is currently Carl Klaus. The 32-year-old ended last season with strong performances and appeared the fittest of the three goalkeepers during the training camp in Styria. His contract was extended just this summer, a sign of the club's faith. The situation is unusual for the club. Union boss Dirk Zingler stated: "The goalkeeper question remains exciting. We have a goalkeeper situation that we haven't had before."
Why are Rönnow and Raab not fit?
Number one Frederik Rönnow is still dealing with the after-effects of an adductor injury. The 33-year-old Dane could not complete every session in training camp and at times trained with his left arm fully bandaged. A start for the season opener is considered very unlikely. Matheo Raab also has a training deficit. The 27-year-old suffered a hand injury in last season's Bundesliga match in Freiburg, which ended his campaign early. Despite having an offer from Hannover 96 in the summer, he chose to stay in Berlin.
What is the role of the youth prospect?
Seventeen-year-old Fritz Gagzow is currently training with the first team. The U19 goalkeeper showed his talent in a friendly against Cagliari and is gaining valuable experience. Long-term, however, he is expected to continue gaining match practice in the youth teams. The current crisis highlights the importance of goalkeeper depth, which can be viewed on our squad page.
How does this affect the team's planning?
The injury concerns among the goalkeepers come at an inconvenient time. The first competitive match of the season is imminent, and preparations have been overshadowed by this uncertainty. The team must now adapt. Union's full schedule for the upcoming season can be found on our fixtures page. Last season already demonstrated the importance of a stable goalkeeping position, and the current Bundesliga standings will present a challenge.
The next few days in training will be crucial to finally assess the availability of Rönnow and Raab. Until then, Carl Klaus is preparing for a potential starting chance in the DFB Cup, while the team tries to find a rhythm in pre-season despite the personnel shortages.
