FC UNION BERLIN NEWS

Sheraldo Becker - Unused substitute Sunday Becker (strain) was included in the match-day squad against Hoffenheim on Sunday but was an unused substitute.

Impact While Becker didn't get onto the pitch Sunday, the fact that he was healthy enough to be included in the squad could clear the way for him to get some minutes sooner rather than later. The forward started 15 of his 18 appearances last season and should be in the mix for the starting XI now that he is fully fit.

AUGUST 24, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Andreas Luthe - One save for draw Luthe made one save during Sunday's 2-2 draw with Hoffenheim.

Impact Luthe made one save during an all-around poor showing where he only faced three shots. The keeper has been mediocre at the best to start the season, and doesn't look to be improving. He will be tested heavily Sunday, against Monchengladbach.

AUGUST 22, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Marvin Friedrich - Sent off in draw Friedrich was sent off during stoppage time of Sunday's two-all draw with Hoffenheim.

Impact Friedrich earned a second yellow card deep in stoppage time, and will now have to serve a one game suspension. This is a big blow for the defender who's been off to a stable start this season. He will return for Saturday's clash with Augsburg.

AUGUST 22, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Niko Giesselmann - Scores rare goal Giesselmann scored once on two shots on goal during Sunday's 2-2 draw with Hoffenheim.

Impact Giesselmann scored a rare goal matching his career-best for goals in a season at one. The defender has next to no offensive upside, but can produce solid volume defensively. Next up is a Sunday clash with Monchengladbach.

AUGUST 22, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Taiwo Awoniyi - Scores in draw Awoniyi scored once on three shots on goal during Sunday's 2-2 draw with Hoffenheim.

Impact Awoniyi made the start after an injury scare and scored during 69 minutes on the pitch. The forward was excellent and has now scored in each of his first two matches. He will look to continue the streak Sunday, against Monchengladbach.

AUGUST 22, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Andreas Luthe - Concedes one in draw Luthe allowed a goal while making two saves during Saturday's 1-1 draw with Union Berlin.

Impact Luthe allowed a goal in the 12th minute but held Leverkusen from there as the teams split the points on Saturday. The keeper offset the goal with two saves as Union will look for their first win next week at Hoffenheim.

AUGUST 14, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Christopher Trimmel - Crosses twice Saturday Trimmel crossed twice inaccurately and won two tackles during Saturday's 1-1 draw with Bayer Leverkusen.

Impact Trimmel was a part of the Union back five that allowed just one goal on Saturday. The fullback finished with the third highest amount of tackles on the team and the second most crosses as of his substitution in the 82nd minute.

AUGUST 14, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Max Kruse - Sets up lone Union goal Kruse had an assist with his lone chance created while crossing once inaccurately during Saturday's 1-1 draw with Leverkusen.

Impact Kruse set up Taiwo Awoniyi in the seventh minute, assisting the opening goal of the match. The assist came from the forward's lone chance created as Union started their season with a point. Kruse was subbed off in the 73rd minute.

AUGUST 14, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Marcus Ingvartsen - One shot on Saturday Ingvartsen took one shot (on goal) and made two interceptions during Saturday's match with Baery Leverkusen.

Impact Ingvartsen was held off the scoresheet during Saturday's Bundesliga kickoff with Bayer Leverkusen. The forward's one shot and two interceptions were both team-high totals as of his substitution in the 64th minute.

AUGUST 14, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Taiwo Awoniyi - Scores, leaves with injury Awoniyi scored a goal with his lone shot while creating a chance during Saturday's match with Bayer Leverkusen.

Impact Awoniyi found the back of the net after just seven minutes, opening the scoring in the match. The goal came from the forward's lone shot, while his one chance created tied for the team-high total as of his substitution due to a thigh injury in the 63rd minute.

AUGUST 14, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Sheraldo Becker - Resumes training Becker -- who is dealing with a muscular injury -- has completed first-team training ahead of Saturday's matchup with Bayer Leverkusen.

Impact If cleared to play, Becker should be in the mix for a spot in the starting XI, especially if youngster Leon Dajaku (ankle) is deemed unfit. Last year, Becker registered three goals on 31 shots (10 on target), three assists and 52 crosses (14 accurate) in 18 contests (15 starts). Once 100 percent, Becker figures to serve as a solid top-half fantasy target given his offensive upside.

AUGUST 12, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Leon Dajaku - Status uncertain Saturday Dajaku (ankle) is questionable versus Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday after manager Urs Fischer called it "too early to say" in regard to the forward's availability.

Impact Dajaku only made two appearances for Union Berlin last year after being loaned from Bayern Munich. In total, the forward has just six Bundesliga contests under his belt while coming up from the Stuttgart and Bayern youth systems. Still, once cleared to play, Dajaku should challenge for regular minutes this year as he tries to break into the top tier.

AUGUST 12, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Fabio Schneider - Questionable versus Leverkusen Schneider is in doubt against Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday due to an undisclosed injury.

Impact Schneider has slowly worked his way up the Union academy system and could be in line to make his senior debut once fully fit, though he is unlikely to get regular minutes in the starting XI any time soon. As such, his absence or availability versus Bayer on Saturday shouldn't have much impact on the starters.

AUGUST 12, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Grischa Promel - In doubt Saturday Promel (strain) will face a late fitness test ahead of Saturday's matchup with Bayer Leverkusen.

Impact Promel missed the final three matches of the 2020-21 campaign and appears to still be working his way back to full fitness. Once cleared to play, the midfielder should be a mainstay in the starting XI and could provide solid mid-range fantasy value, especially when playing in a more attacking role.

AUGUST 12, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Anthony Ujah - Returns to friendlies Ujah has played in pre-season friendlies and is ready to go for the upcoming season.

Impact Ujah (knee) had his season shut down with a surgery last season, but has been training with the team and playing friendlies. He certainly won't be pushed straight into full minutes but the forward appears ready to go for the upcoming season.

AUGUST 5, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Leon Dajaku - Returns to training Dajaku (ankle/appendix) is back in individual training.

Impact Dajaku missed the end of last season with an ankle injury and has now had an appendix surgery. The forward will look to finally carve out a place in the Union Berlin lineup after this run of injuries.

AUGUST 5, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Max Kruse - Excellent in draw Kruse made two tackles and won three duels during Wednesday's 1-1 draw with Ivory Coast.

Impact Kruse was busy during Wednesday's draw, and despite failing to get on the score sheet put together a great performance. The draw sees Germany fall out of the Olympics, but Kruse certainly ended on a high note.

JULY 28, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Taiwo Awoniyi - Staying with Union Awoniyi has completed a permanent transfer to Union Berlin away from Liverpool.

Impact Awoniyi never really had a chance to carve out a role for Liverpool and even if he was never loaned out, his appearances would've likely been minimal behind their trio of forwards. He returns to Union Berlin where he managed five goals and two assists in 21 appearances (16 starts) this past season.

JULY 20, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Kevin Behrens - Joins Union Behrens signed with Union Berlin after leaving Sandhausen on Thursday.

Impact Behrens is a huge find for Union after scoring 27 goals over his last two seasons as a starter in the German second division. The depth chart at forward is now quite deep at this club, though Behrens has one of the better scoring records among the new arrivals and could make a splash if he gets off to a quick start.

JULY 1, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Timo Baumgartl - Returning to Bundesliga Baumgartl transferred to Union Berlin on loan from PSV Eindhoven, the club announced Thursday.

Impact After coming up through the VfB Stuttgart youth system, Baumgartl joined PSV in July of 2021 but will now return to the Bundesliga on loan for the 2021-22 campaign. The center-back made just 14 appearances for Eindhoven last year, including four Europa League clashes and is far from a lock for the starting XI with Union Berlin this year.

JULY 1, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Finland 0-1 Russia Russia makes amends for its opening game loss vs. Belgium by beat Finland 1-0 at Krestovsky Stadium. Finland thought it had taken the lead t...

JUNE 17, 2021 • BUFFALONEWS.COM

Joel Pohjanpalo - Four shots in loss Pohjanpalo shot off target four times and created one chance during Wednesday's 1-0 defeat to Russia.

Impact Pohjanpalo failed to get on the scoresheet during a nail-biter Wednesday, though it wasn't for lack of trying. The forward was pressing the Russian defense non-stop, putting together an aggressive performance. Pohjanpalo will hope to bounce back Monday, against Belgium to close out the group.

JUNE 16, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Rick Van Drongelen - Joins Union Berlin Van Drongelen signed with Union Berlin from Hamburg on Tuesday.

Impact Van Drongelen is another discount signing from the second division, where Union has found plenty of good players en route to their impressive showings in the top division. Since van Drongelen has played in the Bundesliga at the past but is now more experienced, he'll hope to provide another option in the defense.

JUNE 15, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Joel Pohjanpalo - Nets in win Pohjanpalo scored once on one shot on goal during Saturday's 1-0 win over Denmark.

Impact Pohjanpalo scored the games only goal on Finland's only shot on target during Saturday's win, a huge win for the underdog Finn's. The striker had a massively quiet game, but his one contribution proved to be decisive. Next up is a Wednesday clash against Russia.

JUNE 12, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Andreas Voglsammer - Signed by Union Berlin Voglsammer was signed by Union Berlin from Arminia Bielefeld on Thursday.

Impact Voglsammer joins Union on a free transfer after scoring two goals and providing two assists in 18 appearances (11 starts) this past season. He did much to help his case after missing multiple months through injury, but it'll still be worth tracking how much he can do in a better team.

JUNE 10, 2021 • ROTOWIRE