The goalless draw is still a good result for Die Eisernen, who will be confident of getting the job done at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei. Third in the Bundesliga and level on points with leaders Bayern Munich, Union have lost just one of 15 home matches this term, and one of 22 dating back to last season.
No team has managed as many as Union's five clean sheets in this season's Europa League. Union's four wins in this season's competition have all been by 1-0 scorelines. A fifth such result would send them through. Probable teams Union: Ronnow – Doekhi, Knoche, Baumgartl – Juranovic, Thorsby, Khedira (c), Laidouni, Roussillon – Becker, Behrens Out: Schäfer (foot) Doubtful: Leite (illness) Coach: Urs Fischer Ajax: Rulli - Rensch, Timber, Bassey, Wjindal - Berghuis, Alvarez, Taylor - Kudus, Tadic (c), Bergwijn Out: - Doubtful: Sanchez (knock) Coach: Johnny Heitinga First-leg report: Ajax 0-0 Union While Ajax were playing their 150th game in the UEFA Cup/Europa League, Union were making their debut in the knockout stages of this competition. And it was the away side who looked at home in the Johan Cruijff Arena, taking control from the very start. Die Eisernen were positive and poured forward at every possible moment – cheered on by their vociferous support in Amsterdam – but clear-cut chances remained at a premium.
Watch: Union Berlin challenging at the topMatch stats Ajax youth product Becker has registered a single-season personal best eight goals and seven assists in all competitions so far in 2022/23. Juranovic was part of the Croatia team that finished third at the 2022 World Cup. Timo Baumgartl, who overcame testicular cancer earlier in the season, joined Union in summer 2021 after a two-season stint in the Netherlands with PSV Eindhoven. Fischer, who turned 57 this week, has overseen 190 competitive games as Union coach (W86, D52, L52).
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Local boy Sheraldo Becker was a livewire in front of his friends and family, seeing a couple of efforts blocked. The closest Union came before the break was a sliced Jerome Roussillon effort at the far post. And although they failed to make their dominance count, Urs Fischer and his men went into the break having prevented the Dutch champions firing off a single attempt on goal. The hosts made a bright start to the second half but it soon fizzled out as Union settled again. Josip Juranovic forced a good save out of Geronimo Rulli with a free-kick before the Croatian delivered a pin-point cross onto the head of Morten Thorsby, but he could only plant his header straight at the goalkeeper.
Union Berlin - UEFA Europa League - Live Soccer TV