Borussia Dortmund vs. Union Berlin | Bundesliga | Pre Match

Borussia Dortmund will hope to salvage their Bundesliga season when they host Union Berlin at Signal Iduna Park on Saturday. After an inconsistent campaign filled with defensive struggles and offensive inefficiency, Dortmund find themselves in an unfamiliar mid-table position, desperately needing a turnaround if they are to make a late push for European qualification. The clash against Union Berlin presents an opportunity to regain some momentum, but they must significantly improve their performances to secure a much-needed victory.

Dortmund suffered a humiliating 2-0 defeat against second-last VfL Bochum on February 15 in the league and come into the weekend in 11th place with 29 points, just five points and two places ahead of Union Berlin. That loss against Bochum was a bitter blow for a club that aspires to challenge for top-four finishes every season. BVB conceded twice in a frenzied first half against their struggling opponents, and despite their attacking firepower, their second-half display was surprisingly tame. They failed to create a single big chance, produced just one shot on target, and registered an xG of only 0.46, highlighting their attacking inefficiency.

The hosts have now conceded at least two goals in six of their last seven Bundesliga matches, picking the ball out of their own net 16 times in that period. Defensive errors have plagued Dortmund throughout the campaign, and their inability to keep clean sheets has been a significant factor in their current struggles. Kovac’s tactical tweaks have yet to yield results in the league, and unless there is a drastic improvement in their defensive organization, they may continue to struggle against well-structured teams like Union Berlin.

To his credit, boss Niko Kovac did oversee a 0-0 draw with Sporting Lisbon on Wednesday in the Champions League, winning 3-0 on aggregate against the Portuguese side to advance to the round of 16. While the European performances have been relatively solid, with Dortmund showing greater discipline and control in continental competition, their domestic form remains a major concern. Kovac has only been in charge for four games following the dismissal of Nuri Sahin in January, but he has already lost both of his league matches as BVB head coach, a worrying start to his tenure.

While Dortmund have triumphed in three of their past six games in all competitions – losing two and drawing one – they have been defeated in five of their seven most recent Bundesliga outings. Their form at home has also been underwhelming, as they have won just one of their last eight matches at Signal Iduna Park, losing three and being held to a stalemate in four. This lack of home dominance is particularly concerning for a team that traditionally relies on strong performances in front of their passionate fanbase.

Union Berlin were beaten 2-1 by Borussia Monchengladbach on February 15, and they were in truth second best throughout the contest. Their only big chance of the match came in the 63rd minute when Andrej Ilic converted a penalty to halve their 2-0 deficit. The visitors have struggled in front of goal, failing to score in four of their past seven games, and their record of 21 goals scored is the joint second-worst in the Bundesliga this season. Despite their defensive solidity in previous campaigns, their offensive struggles have left them languishing near the relegation zone.

Die Eisernen emerged triumphant against Dortmund in their first league clash this term, winning 2-1 on October 5 in a game where they effectively stifled BVB’s attacking threats. Union limited Dortmund to just one big chance in what was an excellent defensive performance, showcasing their ability to execute a disciplined, counter-attacking approach. Steffen Baumgart has overseen two losses, two victories, and one stalemate in his last five Bundesliga games, helping his team pick up more points than they had in their prior 11. This slight resurgence under Baumgart has given Union hope that they can steer clear of the relegation battle.

Union’s away form remains a significant issue despite their 4-0 triumph over Hoffenheim on February 8. That result was a rare positive in what has otherwise been a dismal run of performances on the road, as they had lost each of their previous seven away fixtures. Given their struggles away from home, they will need to produce a disciplined and compact display if they are to frustrate Dortmund and grind out a positive result at Signal Iduna Park.

Dortmund’s only confirmed injury absentee is midfielder Felix Nmecha, who is not likely to return to action until later in March. As a result, expect Marcel Sabitzer and Pascal Gross to feature in the middle of the pitch, tasked with providing defensive cover and dictating play from deep. Emre Can has featured as a centre-back in all four of Kovac's matches as boss, and he will almost certainly partner Nico Schlotterbeck in the backline. While Can has adapted to the defensive role, his natural tendencies as a midfielder sometimes leave gaps in Dortmund’s backline, something Union Berlin could look to exploit.

In attack, first-choice striker Serhou Guirassy will likely lead the line, flanked by wingers Jamie Bynoe-Gittens and Karim Adeyemi. Guirassy has been a crucial figure for BVB this season, and his ability to convert chances will be vital in breaking down Union’s defensive setup. The pace and trickery of Bynoe-Gittens and Adeyemi could also be key in stretching Union’s defense and creating space in the final third.

Meanwhile, Union Berlin will be unable to select midfielder Aljoscha Kemlein, meaning Janik Haberer and Rani Khedira could form a double pivot in midfield. Their defensive discipline and ability to shield the backline will be crucial if Union are to contain Dortmund’s attacking threats. In defense, Josip Juranovic, Danilho Doekhi, Diogo Leite, and Tom Rothe are likely to be entrusted with keeping things tight at the back, especially with Oluwaseun Ogbemudia and Robert Skov ruled out.

Further up the pitch, Baumgart could opt for a forward line consisting of Woo-Yeong Jeong, Marin Ljubicic, Benedict Hollerbach, and Andrej Ilic. With Union struggling to score goals, the onus will be on these attackers to step up and take advantage of any defensive lapses from Dortmund. Their ability to execute quick transitions and exploit set-piece situations could be key in determining the outcome of this fixture.

This matchup presents a crucial opportunity for both teams. For Dortmund, it is a chance to recover from their recent league struggles and begin a push up the table. For Union Berlin, it represents another battle in their fight to avoid being dragged further into the relegation zone. Given both teams' recent inconsistencies, the game could be a tense affair with little margin for error. Dortmund will be favorites due to their individual quality, but Union’s resilience and tactical discipline could make them a difficult opponent to break down. A win for BVB could reignite their European ambitions, while Union will see this as a chance to secure a vital point or even an upset victory away from home.