Hamburger SV made a big change three weeks ago, parting ways with head coach Liése Brancão. The Brazilian had only taken the position in the summer after the promotion to the Bundesliga. Although HSV had already taken one more point in the second half of the season than they had in the entire first half, and the emphatic 4-0 victory at TSG 1899 Hoffenheim on matchday 18, the 44-year-old had to leave in April.

Her successor as interim coach is Rudolfo Cardoso, who has been with the club in various roles since 1996, with several short interruptions. The Argentine successfully managed his first game in women's football last weekend against 1. FC Nürnberg.

The 57-year-old will have to do without rising star Lotta Wrede in the final stretch of the season. The 18-year-old, who has already contributed three goals and two assists this season, sustained a foot injury before the international break and will be out for months. The U19 international is considered a great hope in the Hanseatic city.

Of the four times the sides have faced each other, Union and HSV have won one each - Union's being away from home - with two draws. 

Back in the first half of the season, when they met at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei, it ended in a 1-1 draw. Though Union dominated large parts of the game and took the lead through Sophie Weidauer, HSV equalized in the 85th minute with their first shot on goal, a penalty.

Union's coaching staff will have to do without the services of Anna Aehling, Tanja Pawollek, Dina Orschmann, Korina Janež, Alma Aagaard, Athanasia Moraitou, Mariann Noack, and Tomke Schneider on Friday.

"We want to build on our good recent performances," said Union head coach, Ailien Poese, during mid-week. "Hamburg are a strong counter-attacking and aggressive team that still need important points in the relegation battle, who have certainly achieved a new impulse through the new coach. We are aware of this, but still want to bring our strengths onto the pitch and bring the three points back to Berlin." 

Tickets for the match are available in the Hamburger SV online shop. When purchasing an adult ticket, up to two children’s tickets (up to 14 years) can be added for free. The ticket promotion is valid in all blocks of the stadium and is explicitly not limited to the family block. For the trip to Hamburg, the EISERNE V.I.R.U.S. are providing buses. Seats can be booked on this form. The bus costs €35 and departs from the Fanhaus Lindenstraße 18-19 at 09:30.