Bundesliga
Union Berlin: 2021/22 preview
Union Berlin are in Europe for only the second time in their history, and after a 20-year absence, with Die Eisernen out to continue their remarkable recent rise in 2021/22.
Last season
It's safe to say the 2020/21 campaign was a memorable one for Union as they improved upon their 11th-placed finish in the club's Bundesliga bow the previous term by ending the season in seventh. That earned Urs Fischer's side a spot in the inaugural UEFA Europa Conference League, with their 20-year wait for a second go at Europe confirmed in the most dramatic of fashions on the final day.
Trailing last year's runners-up RB Leipzig 1-0 with over an hour gone, Union looked to be slipping out of the European places as Matchday 34 drew to a close. But the capital club hauled theirselves back into contention thanks to Marvin Friedrich's 67th-minute equaliser before the talismanic Max Kruse popped up with the winner in injury time. Kruse, who was part of Germany's squad at this summer's Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, ended his first season at the Stadion an der Alten Försterei with 11 goals from 22 appearances and his name already firmly entrenched in the club's history. That history continues to be made in 2021/22, with Union returning to European competition for the first time since their 2001/02 UEFA Cup debut.
Watch: Union secure European spot in dramatic final day win over Leipzig
New arrivals
Fischer wasted no time in adding to his squad over the summer and Union have been one of the Bundesliga's most active clubs in the transfer market. Previous loan deals for both Taiwo Awoniyi and Keita Endo have notably been made permanent, while former Stuttgart defender Timo Baumgartl is a new loanee from PSV Eindhoven.
Kevin Behrens, Genki Haraguchi, Paul Jaeckel, Rani Khedira, Levin Öztunali, Tymoteusz Puchacz, Frederik Rönnow, Rick van Drongelen, Andreas Voglsammer, and Pawel Wszolek have all joined club, while Anthony Ujah's return from injury will feel like a new signing. The Nigeria international missed the entirety of the previous campaign but is now ready to return to the first team fold.
How might Union line up?
What to expect
With Berlin? The unexpected. After all, this is a side that was promoted to the Bundesliga for the first time just two years ago, has already broken into the top-seven and will now compete in Europe. And while their Europa Conference League shirts have added Comedy Central to its sleeves, this Union team is no joke.
A repeat of last season would be superb, and any improvement perfect, while further establishing themselves in the top flight with a top-half finish would still represent a good third season in the big time for Union. How they balance UECL football with their domestic challenge will prove a stern test for Fischer and his men. Their summer reinforcements should ensure that the squad is well covered through what will be a long season that promises the usual Union surprises along the way.
Opening fixtures
DFB Cup: Türkgücü München 0-1 Union
Union vs. Bayer Leverkusen (Saturday, 14 August)
Europa Conference League play-off first leg: KuPS Kuopio/Astana vs. Union (Thursday, 19 August)
Hoffenheim vs. Union (Sunday, 22 August)
Europa Conference League play-off second leg: Union vs. KuPS Kuopio/Astana (Thursday, 26 August)
Union vs. Borussia Mönchengladbach (Sunday, 29 August)
Union vs. Augsburg (Saturday, 11 September)
Dortmund vs. Union (Sunday, 19 September)
Union vs. Arminia Bielefeld (Saturday, 25 September)
Click here to download all of Union's Bundesliga fixtures to your calendar