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FCU Union Berlin Union Berlin - KOE Cologne Cologne

FCU

KOE

15'

An der Alten Försterei

Daniel Schlager

11'

Quiet

Neither side has managed an attempt on target yet.

Goal attempts

1off target

0on target

0off target

0on target

Cagey start

Neither side is giving much away in these opening exchanges.

Early pressure

Burke's cross finds Ansah but a poor touch allows Simpson-Pusey to clear, but only as far as Kemlein, who fires over from the edge of the box.

Reckless

Ansah charges into Simpson-Pusey after the ball has gone and the defender has to receive treatment briefly.

Off we go!

The visitors get the action started.

Kick-off!

0:19

Watch: A look inside the Cologne changing room

0:28

Watch: The Stadion An der Alten Försterei is ready for action

Union team news

After last week's defeat, Eta decides to make a host of changes as Klaus, Juranovic, Ansah, Kemlein, and Nsoki all come into the starting XI. Amongst those to miss out are Rønnow, who is injured, and Querfeld, who is on the bench for the first time this season.

Cologne team news

It's two changes for the visitors as Waldschmidt makes his first start for two months in place of Maina, having scored in both of his most recent appearances from the bench. The other change is an enforced one as Krauß replaces the suspended Jóhannesson.

Union subs

Wisbereit, Köhn, Trimmel, Querfeld, Král, Skarke, Haberer, Ilić, Burcu

Starting line-up: 1. FC Köln

Formation:4-2-3-1

Starting line-up: 1. FC Union Berlin

Formation:3-3-2-2

Cologne subs

Zieler, Schmied, Heintz, Huseinbašić, Castro-Montes, Chávez, Thielmann, Maina, Niang

How can Union Berlin secure safety?

If Union beat Cologne and St. Pauli fail to beat Mainz, or they draw vs. Cologne, Pauli lose to Mainz and Wolfsburg fail to win in Freiburg, then Union will be playing Bundesliga football once again next season.

Cologne's breakthrough star

Saïd El Mala has struck 11 goals and provided four assists in his maiden Bundesliga campaign. With his explosive pace, neat dribbling and eye for goal, the 19-year-old attacker will be crucial to Cologne's survival hopes. The Billy Goats will be safe if they beat Union Berlin and Wolfsburg and St. Pauli both fail to win.

René Wagner on facing Union

"[Marie-Louise Eta] has tried to play to Union's strengths - she's done that very well. It was a very formative time for me [in Berlin], but we're focused on ourselves. We did very well against Leverkusen and we're hoping to do the same this weekend. If we do that, we have a great chance of getting three points."

Marie-Louise Eta on facing Cologne

"Their boss, René [Wagner], was part of the coaching team here - we know him well. At the end of the day, it's about what we want to achieve and how we want to improve. Our players have been giving their all to get that win, but it's about taking that final step and doing all you can to get better results. We're still confident we're capable of doing that."

Away-day troubles

Cologne's 11-game winless run on the road is the longest of any Bundesliga team right now.

Union looking for inspiration

The hosts are winless in five games, having picked up just one point in that time. Against Cologne, though, they've only lost one of their past 11 games.

2:03

Watch: Cologne 1-2 Leverkusen - last time out

A Patrik Schick double meant derby defeat for Cologne, who find themselves only five points clear of the relegation play-off position, with three games to go.

2:03

Watch: Leipzig 3-1 Union Berlin - last time out

Marie-Louise Eta is still searching for her first points as Union interim coach after her side went down 3-1 in Leipzig last Friday night. The Berlin club have slipped to within six points of the bottom three, after winning one of their last eight.

2:03

Watch: Cologne 0-1 Union - previous meeting

Union won back-to-back Bundesliga games for the first time this season as András Schäfer's stoppage-time strike condemned 10-man Cologne to consecutive defeats in the sides' final fixture of 2025.

Hello and welcome!

Welcome along and thanks for joining us for build-up and live coverage of this Matchday 32 fixture between Union Berlin and Cologne.

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