Only the record champions themselves (seven times, most recently in 2020) and Borussia Mönchengladbach (1987) have achieved a run of 11 straight wins in the history of German football. Bayern’s last defeat dates to March when they lost 3-2 to Bochum at the Allianz Arena, and their last dropped points came in May with the 3-3 draw in Leipzig. Bayern have also been flawless in the cup and Champions League so far, winning all of their competitive matches this season

Statistically speaking, FCB dominate the league almost at will – most goals, best pass completion rate, highest possession. Only in the categories ‘tackles won’ and ‘fouls committed’ do they rank in the bottom third. Union, meanwhile, lead the latter by a wide margin. Steffen Baumgart's team have committed 135 fouls so far, more than any other team.

Coach Vincent Kompany has also been making news off the pitch recently. In the win against Leverkusen, he brought on all of his three top players, Harry Kane, Luis Díaz and Michael Olise, in the 59th minute. With a combined market value of around €275 million, it was the most expensive substitution in Bundesliga history – equivalent to almost two-thirds of Leverkusen's entire squad value.

Union have faced Bayern twelve times in the Bundesliga so far – and are still waiting for their first win. Saturday’s guests have won eight, while four have ended in a draw. Union took the lead in the lead in two of these, both times in their own stadium. 1-1 in December 2020 for 63 minutes and 1-1 in September 2022 for three. 

Two familiar faces will come  up against their former club on Saturday. Wooyeong Jeong played for FC Bayern between 2018 and 2020, appearing in 48 competitive matches for the record champions' second team before moving to Berlin via Freiburg and Stuttgart. Derrick Köhn was also active for Bayern II, playing in 95 competitive matches,  and celebrating the third division championship. 

Union's coaching team must do without Andrik Markgraf and Robert Skov on Saturday. Christopher Trimmel is also missing due to a yellow card suspension. 

“We have the opportunity to play against one of the best teams in Europe next Saturday," said Union head coach, Steffen Baumgart, during his press conference on Thursday afternoon. "We want to go in aggressively, and as a collective to the ball. We are aware that Bayern are a team who have few flaws. Nevertheless, we want to attempt to find and utilize these flaws. We can only stand up to the way they keep the ball, and their individual class as a collective. We will approach this match with the necessary respect, but also with a lot of anticipation.” 

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

Due to ongoing traffic disruptions on public transport, travel via the ‘Altstadt Köpenick’ tram line is only possible by rail replacement service. Union therefore recommends that all stadium visitors arrive early.