Union with Rönnow in goal again against Leipzig

Frederik Rönnow will be back in goal for 1. FC Union Berlin in the Bundesliga top match against RB Leipzig. "The chances are very good. The way the week has gone, I assume so," said Union head coach Steffen Baumgart ahead of Saturday's game (6.30pm/Sky) against the Saxons. The 32-year-old Dane had been absent since mid-December due to an elbow injury.

Kevin Vogt is also looking more likely to play in the center of defence, especially as Leopold Querfeld, who picked up his fifth yellow card in the 3-0 defeat at St. Pauli, is suspended. "We're still keeping that open, but we're confident," said Baumgart, who only wants to make a decision after the final training session or on match day.

The Union coach sees no advantage in the double-header against Leipzig, who lost 1-0 at Sturm Graz in the Champions League on Wednesday evening, "because the team knows the rhythm. Four or five of the lads I see in the starting eleven on Saturday didn't start there," said Baumgart, who made it clear from the results crisis with just one win from four league games: "It's not easy to have fun at work in phases like now."

Baumgart's RB record speaks against a win

Even though Baumgart and his former clubs Paderborn and Cologne have not won against RB Leipzig in seven games, Union's record looks more positive with five victories against their unloved opponents from Saxony. However, the Köpenickers have failed to score in their last three matches against RB. In the first leg on 14 September, it was still enough for a 0-0 draw. "We're playing at home, we want to set the whole thing alight," emphasized Baumgart.

He is also relaxed about the fans once again remaining silent against the RB club: "We've all experienced that before, so you'll be able to hear me very well in the first quarter of an hour." The game is "very explosive", but it is not an East derby for the Rostock native. "For most people I know, it's not really a derby. Not everyone has to like it, but you have to respect it. It's worked well over a long period of time," said Baumgart.