Union Berlin will host VfL Bochum at Stadion An der Alten Försterei on Saturday for their 14th fixture of the 2024-25 Bundesliga season.
Union Berlin is reeling from a recent loss to Stuttgart, where they squandered a 2-0 lead, conceding three goals in just 18 minutes. Head coach Bo Svensson expressed frustration over the defeat, highlighting poor refereeing while also acknowledging ongoing defensive issues; the team has only achieved one clean sheet in their last seven games and allowed 11 goals in the last six matches.
Offensively, Union Berlin has struggled, scoring only three goals in their last six outings and remaining winless during that period with five defeats. At home, their performance has been mixed, with two draws and one loss in their last three home games, although they previously secured victories in the three prior contests.
Team news for Union Berlin indicates that striker Andrej Ilic will be unavailable until late December. In his absence, Woo-Yeong Jeong, Tim Skarke, and Benedict Hollerbach are expected to lead the attack. Goalkeeper Yannic Stein is also out, positioning Frederik Rønnow as the likely starter. Defensively, the team may deploy a back three of Danilho Doekhi, Kevin Vogt, and Diogo Leite, with Aljoscha Kemlein and Rani Khedira in midfield.
Bochum comes into the match having lost to Werder Bremen, despite outshining their opponents in shots and chances. Manager Dieter Hecking expressed a mix of optimism and concern regarding his team's performance, noting a lack of clarity and order that has impeded their progress. Bochum is currently nine points behind St. Pauli, the first team outside the relegation zone, and has yet to secure a win in 14 Bundesliga matches, suffering 12 defeats and managing just two draws. They hold the league's worst offensive and defensive statistics, with only ten goals scored and 34 conceded.
The team's struggles are especially pronounced away from home, where they have lost all eight matches this season, managing only three goals while conceding 13 in their last four away fixtures.
On the injury front, Bochum is relatively healthy, though forward Myron Boadu is sidelined with a hip injury until January. Koji Miyoshi and Gerrit Holtmann are likely to support striker Philipp Hofmann in the attack, while Matus Bero and Ibrahima Sissoko are expected to take on midfield roles. Defensively, Bochum is set to field Jakov Medic, Ivan Ordets, and Bernardo in front of goalkeeper Patrick Drewes.
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