Union Berlin welcome Sporting Braga to the Olympiastadion Berlin this Tuesday for matchday two of the Champions League. With both sides occupying the bottom two spots of Group C, a win this week will be important for their knock-out stage aspirations.
Union currently sit bottom of Group C with a loss in their first Group stage game. This form is also shown in the Bundesliga where Union Berlin currently sit 12th after six games with two wins and four losses and ten points adrift of the top spot.
In their last five games in all competitions, Union Berlin have five losses. Kevin Volland was sent off for Union in the second half as a goal from Xavi Simmons and a brace from Benjamin Sesko gave RB Leipzig the 3 - 0 win. Robin Gosens equalised for Berlin after Jonas Wind gave Wolfsburg the lead, but it wasn’t enough for a point as Joakim Mæhie scored just minutes later for the 2 - 1 win.
In the Champions League, Union Berlin travelled to Real Madrid. With zero shots on target, Union suffered a 1 - 0 loss with Jude Bellingham grabbing the winner in the 94th minute. Andrej Kramaric converted his penalty and was joined on the scoresheet by Maximilian Beier as Hoffenheim won 2 - 0 and handed Union another loss.
Union Berlin were on the losing side again in their last time out, this time against Heidenheim. Jan-Niklas Beste scored the only goal in the second half for the 1 - 0 win for Heidenheim.
Sporting Braga aren’t faring much better in Group C, sitting third, also on zero points. Braga have also had a shaky start to the Primeria Liga season, sitting fifth with four wins, one draw and two losses, six points off top of the league Sporting Lisbon.
In their last five games in all competitions, Braga have three wins and two losses. Rony Lopes opened the scoring for Braga but goals from Andre Luis and Madson before halftime gave Moreirense the 2 - 1 lead. However, a late equaliser from Simon Banza and a 96th minute winner from Al-Musrati gave Braga the 3 - 2 win. Banza was on the scoresheet again against Farense, but goals from Bruno Duarte, Rui Costa and Bachir Belloumi gave Farense the 3 - 1 win.
In the Champions League, Braga faced Napoli. Giovanni Di Lorenzo opened the scoring for Napoli and Bruma thought he’d bagged a point for Braga with his late equaliser, but an own goal from Sikou Niakate gave Napoli the 2 - 1 win. However, Braga bounced back against Boavista. Banza scored again along with a penalty from Al-Musrati and a brace from Ricardo Horta to give Braga the 4 - 1 win over ten man Boavista.
The most recent outing for Braga was a trip to Estrela Amadora. Banza and Horta both scored along with a double from Alvaro Djalo to give Braga the 4 - 2 win.
Union Berlin and Sporting Braga have met just twice in their histories, with both times coming in the Europa League Group stage in the 2022/23 season. Both teams have a 1 - 0 win to their name, with Robin Knoche’s penalty giving Union a 1 - 0 win and Braga’s Vitinha grabbing a 1 - 0 win for Braga.