VfB Stuttgart have finished 16th, 2nd and 9th in the past three seasons of the Bundesliga, but since Sebastian Hoeneß's side beat Arminia Bielefeld in the DFB Pokal final in May, they will still participate in the UEFA Europa League this season. For this, their second consecutive season in three competitions, the Swabians had a busy summer, signing among others, right-back Lorenz Assignon, German talent Noah Darvich, and the returning Tiago Tomás. Their task will be to make the departures of Enzo Millot and Jacob Bruun Larsen in the offense quickly forgotten.

The Stuttgarters, who collected more points away than at home in the MHPArena (27 to 23) last season, haven't won away on the first matchday since the 2008/09 season – overall, they have played away on the season opener seven times since then, interrupted by two years in the 2. Bundesliga.

When Union and Stuttgart meet, there is seemingly always a reunion with familiar faces, and on Saturday several players and officials will be able to look back on a shared past. Rani Khedira began his career at VfB where Wooyeong Jeong also played. VfB sports director Christian Gentner played for Union 53 times in the league from 2019 to 2021. VfB sports board member Fabian Wohlgemuth and loan player coordinator Helmut Schulte were also at Union in the past, while Union's director of men's professional football, Horst Heldt, once played for Stuttgart and later contributed to VfB's most recent championship in 2007 as sporting director and board member.

Jamie Leweling also has a history with both clubs. The forward played in 25 matches for Union in the 2022/23 season before transferring to Stuttgart. Before the reunion with his former club, the 24-year-old expressed his excitement in an interview: "It's great that it's finally starting, I'm really looking forward to this away game. Unfortunately, I missed our last match at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei, where almost every chance was a goal in the bizarre 4-4 draw. This time we want to take three points with us."

As mentioned by Leweling, the last encounter at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei was the spectacular 4-4 draw, setting the Bundesliga record for the most goals in the first half (all eight of them). In the previous 14 games, there were three victories for Union, five for VfB, six draws, including the two legged play-off for the Bundesliga spot in May 2019.

Union's coaching team will have to do without Livan Burcu, Lucas Tousart, Diogo Leite, and Andrik Markgraf for the start of The Bundesliga.

“We face a team that belongs to the best in Germany in terms of football. I am sure that we can expect an intense and attractive duel – although I naturally hope not to concede four goals again," said Union's head coach, Steffen baumgart, during his press conference on Thursday afternoon. "For us, it's about continuing to develop over the season, creating more goal-scoring opportunities through willingness to fight and mentality, and in the end, having many moments to be proud of. We want to start that on Saturday.” 

His opposite number, Sebastian Hoeneß, meanwhile stated: “It is always difficult in Berlin. Union are very physical and always goes for the second ball. I still have good memories of the last game against Union despite the 4-4. We are well prepared.”

As usual, the Stadion An der Alten Försterei opens two hours before kick off, the match is sold out in both the home and away sections.

There are still significant traffic disruptions in public transport, and access via the tram lines through the Köpenick Altstadt is only possible with a replacement bus service. Additionally, the underpass at Bahnhofstraße near the S-Bahn station Köpenick is closed. All visitors are therefore advised to arrive early.