Real Madrid vs Union Berlin Preview - 20/09/2023 - UEFA Champions League
Real Madrid will face Union Berlin in the first group stage match of the UEFA Champions League 2023/24 on September 20.
Los Blancos have been placed in Group C, alongside Napoli, Union Berlin and SC Braga.
This group's composition has raised questions due to what seems like a significant disparity in strength, with Italian champions and La Liga giants being the clear frontrunners to advance. Despite Braga finishing a distant third in the Primera Liga behind Benfica and Porto last season, they clinched Portugal's final Champions League spot, narrowly surpassing Sporting.
Meanwhile, Union's impressive fourth-place finish in the Bundesliga achieved just four years after their promotion to Germany's top division, adds an intriguing dimension to the group.
With Real Madrid contending with injury concerns this season, the race for the first spot in this group appears wide open. Nevertheless, Berlin boast a robust defense that could challenge the top contenders, but their defensive vulnerabilities might come to the fore once breached. They are eager to make their mark in their inaugural Champions League group stage appearance and could potentially secure a place in the Europa League.
In the opening group stage encounter, the storied team, with a remarkable 15 UEFA Champions League titles to their name, are scheduled to welcome Urs Fischer and his squad to the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, as it is set to be the first time that both teams meet in their history.
Match Officials Confirmed for Real Madrid vs Union Berlin
- Referee: Espen Eskås
- Assistant referees: Jan Erik Engan, Isaak Elias Bashevkin
- Fourth official: Kristoffer Hagenes
- Video Assistant Referee: Massimiliano Irrati
- Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Tiago Martins
Real Madrid vs Union Berlin Prediction - 20/09/2023 - UEFA Champions League
Carlo Ancelotti and his squad will continue their quest for their historic 15th Champions League title as they host Union Berlin at home. The Spanish side have showcased strong form in their most recent trio of matches, securing a 2-0 triumph over Athletic Bilbao, a 3-1 victory against Almeria, and an impressive 1-0 win against Celta Vigo.
During their first home match of the season on September 2, Madrid achieved a perfect number of four wins from four matches following their 2 - 1 victory over Getafe, positioning them at the top of the La Liga standings with 12 points. Notably, Jude Bellingham made a decisive mark in his debut at the Santiago Bernabeu by scoring the game-winning goal in the 95th minute.
Since the start of the domestic campaign, Los Blancos found the back of the net ten times and conceded only three.
Nevertheless, the Germans won't be a very easy task for the European giants. Heading into the match, Berlin have enjoyed a flawless beginning to the season and will strive to extend their winning streak in their third fixture of the campaign. The club is currently in exceptional form, having clinched victory in their previous three matches.
Their winning streak commenced with a commanding 4-0 triumph over FCA Walldorf, followed by a convincing 4-1 win against Mainz 05, and culminating in a resounding 4-1 victory over Darmstadt. In their first two league encounters, they have netted eight goals while conceding only two.
However, the German team faced back-to-back defeats against RB Leipzig and Wolfsburg, while Los Blancos remain unbeatable following their recent 2 - 1 victory over Real Sociedad on Sunday.
Odds:
Real Madrid win: 1.38
Draw: 5.30
Union Berlin win: 8.90
Real Madrid vs Union Berlin Head-to-Head
There are no games played between the two teams previously.
Real Madrid vs Union Berlin Predicted Lineups
Real Madrid XI: Kepa; Carvajal, Rudiger, Alaba, Garcia; Valverde, Tchouameni, Camavinga; Bellingham; Joselu, Rodrygo
Union Berlin XI: Ronnow; Jaeckel, Knoche, Leite; Juranovic, Laidouni, Kral, Gosens; Siebatcheu, Behrens, Volland
How to watch Real Madrid vs Union Berlin live, stream link and start time
- Australia: Stan Sport
- Brazil: TNT Go, HBO Max, TNT Brasil
- Spain: Movistar+, Movistar Liga de Campeones
- UK: BT Sport App, BTSport.com, BT Sport 1, TalkSport Radio UK, BBC Radio 5 Live, BT Sport Ultimate
- United States: Paramount+, SiriusXM FC, TUDN USA, Univision, Univision NOW, CBS, VIX+, TUDN.com, TUDN App
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