Tackles, crosses, headers – when it comes to the traditional values of wing play, SC Freiburg are leading the way. With 770 duels won (the fifth most in the league) and the fewest fouls committed, the intense but fair approach of the Breisgauers is clear to see. The fact that Freiburg players have only received twelve yellow cards also confirms the approach of head coach Julian Schuster's team. With 84 crosses and 180 headers won Freiburg's aerial ability is clear, as is their willingness to run when considering the 961kilometres their players have covered this season so far, just nine ahead of their hosts on Saturday.

To compensate for the departure of Ritsu Doan to Eintracht Frankfurt, among others, Freiburg have been relying on some new faces since the summer. Attackingmidfielder, Yuito Suzuki, was the most expensive signing, but with seven (short) appearances so far, he has not yet played a decisive role. The same applies to centre forward Igor Matanovic and left winger Derry Scherhant, who have both scored three goals and provided one assist, if mostly having only come on as substitutes. One player is sure, Italian set-piece specialist Vincenzo Grifo is once again the focal point of the attack and is currently Freiburg's top scorer with five goals.

Union have never lost a league home game against SC Freiburg, with the only defeat coming in the first round of the 2004/05 DFB Pokal, when they lost 4-0. Altogether Union have won eight and drawn five in 18 encounters to date. 

Two current Union players have a history with SC Freiburg. Janik Haberer played 171 times for the Breisgauers between 2016 and 2022, while Wooyeong Jeong wore the SC jersey 100 times between 2019 and 2023.

Off the pitch, there will also be a reunion. Athletic trainer Daniel Wolf worked as a rehabilitation and athletic trainer for Union from 2012 to 2016, while assistant coach Florian Bruns played 45 times for Union between January 2003 and summer 2004.

Andrik Markgraf and Robert Skov are unavailable for the match.

“Freiburg know the rhythm of having two games a week quite well, we don’t really," said Union head coach, Steffen Baumgart dueiing his press conference of Friday afternoon. "Still, we don’t want to complain. Not having to travel is definitely an advantage, and our fans' support at home games is always a great help. In general, it will likely be a match between equals where small details will decide, so we need to push our limits once again.” 

As usual, the Stadion An der Alten Försterei opens two hours before kick off, the match is sold out. 1. FC Union Berlin will have a condolence book for the deceased Hans-Joachim Lesching, supervisory board and honorary member of the club, available to sign at the memorial in the beer garden Hämmerlingeck. 

There are still extensive traffic disruptions in the public transport system, and access via the tram lines “Altstadt Köpenick” is only possible with the replacement bus service. Therefore, all visitors are advised to arrive early.

The match will be broadcast in Germany live on DAZN (Conference) and Sky (Single match). In addition, there will be an audio stream on rbb24 Inforadio and on rbb24, and as usual, Union will also provide updates in English on twitter as well as an exclusive match report following the finall whistle