ROBIN KNOCHE NEWS

Scores opener in Saturday's loss Knoche scored one goal to go with two shots (one on goal) and one chance created in Saturday's 3-2 loss to 1. FC Koln.

Impact Knoche bagged the opener for Union Berlin early in the first half, as the defender nodded home a perfect corner kick delivery from Christopher Trimmel. This was Knoche's first goal of the season, but he is expected to earn most of his fantasy upside via defensive stats in the final game of the season against Freiburg on Saturday.

MAY 14 • ROTOWIRE

Unused against Bremen Knoche went unused off the bench in the club's last match against Werder Bremen.

Impact Knoche's role has seen a decline in the past month, as he has gone unused in the club's past three matches after starting in all but two of his 23 appearances to start the season. This is most likely due to Danilho Doekhi's addition to the team, as he returned from a foot injury in January and has assumed Knoche's role since then. There is a chance he gets to earn his spot back before the end of the season, but his stats in the defense may make that difficult as they have not been stellar this season, registering 11 interceptions, 32 tackles and 56 clearances to go along with a minimal four clean sheets in league play this campaign.

MARCH 20 • ROTOWIRE

Makes four clearances Knoche registered four clearances and three tackles in Wednesday's 1-0 loss against Bayern Munich.

Impact Knoche continues to be the top option for the center back position for Union Berlin, recording an average of about 2.9 clearances and two tackles per match. Despite missing five matches earlier in the campaign with injury the defender has still been able to start 16 of the 17 contests played all competitions during the 2023/24 campaign.

JANUARY 24 • ROTOWIRE

Deuces wild Knoche blocked two shots, made two interceptions, two tackles and two clearances during Wednesday's 1-1 draw with Braga.

Impact Knoche was a part of the Union back four that conceded the game tying goal in the second half, leading the club with two interceptions in the match. The center back has yet to help Union keep a clean sheet in the Champions League or the Bundesliga in 10 total starts across both competitions.

NOVEMBER 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Gets starting nod Saturday Knoche (strain) is in the starting lineup for Saturday's clash against Stuttgart.

Impact Knoche was spotted in team training earlier this week, and he gets the nod here. He will play alongside Diogo Leite and Danilho Doekhi at the back, while Leonardo Bonucci is probably getting rested for the Champions League clash against Napoli next Tuesday.

OCTOBER 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Back in team training Knoche (strain) returned to team training Monday ahead of Saturday's clash with Stuttgart, Union Berlin announced.

Impact Knoche is back in team training and could reportedly return straight to the starting XI. It's possible that Leonardo Bonucci stays in the starting XI despite Knoche's availability, though it's unclear if that would be at the expense of Knoche, Diogo Leite or Danilho Doekhi.

OCTOBER 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Training with ball Knoche (strain) returned to individual training Monday, Kicker reports.

Impact Knoche is back in individual training and was seen working with the ball Monday. The defender is expected to return after the international break, where he will compete with Leonardo Bonucci for the final spot in central defense.

OCTOBER 10, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Getting closer to returning Knoche (strain) is close to making a return to the squad, but will still sit out for Saturday's match against Borussia Dortmund, confirmed manager Urs Fischer.

Impact Knoche could make a return after the international break as he is recovering well from a strain. He will miss his fifth match of the season, with Diogo Leite, Daniho Doekhi and Leonardo Bonucci still expected to start at center back for the time being.

OCTOBER 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Won't play Saturday Knoche (strain) will not be an option against Heidenheim on Saturday.

Impact Knoche will be shelved for his third consecutive match due to his lingering muscular injury. The defender will have to get fit quickly if he hopes to play versus Braga on Tuesday, with his status for the contest probably doubtful at best. Once cleared to play, the central defender should reclaim his spot in the starting XI after having featured in the opening four matches of the season for the club.

SEPTEMBER 28, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Out again Knoche (strain) will not be an option for Saturday's match against Hoffenheim.

Impact Knoche will miss his second match in a row as he deals with a strain. This means that Leonardo Bonucci is expected to get his second start in a row at center back alongside Danilho Doekhi and Diogo Leite.

SEPTEMBER 22, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Unavailable Wednesday Knoche won't be in the squad against Real Madrid on Wednesday.

Impact Knoche will miss his first match of the season after having started the first four Bundesliga clashes of the year. The club hasn't provided any clarity regarding the nature or severity of the defender's injury, so he should be considered a doubt heading into Saturday's matchup with Hoffenheim as well. In his stead, Leonardo Bonucci could make his first start of the campaign.

SEPTEMBER 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Starts all three matches Knoche has played all 270 minutes to open the 2023/24 campaign for Union Berlin.

Impact Knoche has featured in all 102 appearances for Union since joining the club from Wolfsburg back in 2020, not including another 10 starts in 10 Europa League matches last season. While the central defender's primary fantasy value will come from clearances, he has eight to start the season, he did manage to score six times on 21 shots (eight on target) during the 2022/23 campaign.

SEPTEMBER 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Season to remember Knoche scored six times and assisted four times in all competitions during the 2022/23 campaign.

Impact Knoche had one of the best seasons of his career, making 42 appearances in all competitions and anchoring the center of the defense. The center-back added some surprising offensive production with two goals and three assists in the Bundesliga. That sort of offensive production isn't likely to continue long-term but Knoche remains a crucial part of the first team.

JUNE 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Returned to team training Knoche (illness) returned to full team training during Tuesday's session, Union Berlin announced.

Impact Knoche missed a Saturday loss to Hoffenheim due to an illness, but returned to full team training Tuesday. The defender should be fully fit and available for Saturday's Bundesliga finale with Werder Bremen.

MAY 23, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Suffering from illness Knoche did not play during Saturday's 4-2 loss to Hoffenheim due to an illness.

Impact Knoche was not on the team sheet for the first time this season after suffering an illness. He's totaled six goals and four assists in all competitions thus far from the center defense, scoring just five goals in his previous four seasons combined. This also includes an average of 3.3 clearances a match after recording 26 in his previous six games. Paul Jaeckel could line up again with Diogo Leite and Danilho Doekhi at center back f he does not recover in time for Saturday.

MAY 23, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Assists twice versus Freiburg Knoche assisted twice to go with two chances created and eight clearances in Saturday's 4-2 win against SC Freiburg.

Impact Knoche had a great all-around performance to help them earn three points at home. The centerback assisted both Sheraldo Becker's goals in the 36th and 38th minutes. He now has four asissts in the season, to go with six goals, while also leading his side in clearances as usual.

MAY 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Scores rare goal Knoche scored one goal to go with one shot (one on goal) in Saturday's 2-1 victory over RB Leipzig. In addition, he was given a yellow card in the 57th minute.

Impact Knoche scored a rare goal in what was a surprise win over Leipzig. The central defender also picked up a yellow card during the upset. Knoche will likely remain a low upside defensive option, but isn't one to consistently get onto the scoresheet.

FEBRUARY 13, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Union beats Wolfsburg 2-1 to reach German Cup quarterfinals

Kevin Behrens and Robin Knoche put Union Berlin into the quarterfinals of the German Cup with a 2-1 win over Wolfsburg

JANUARY 31, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Makes six clearances against Werder Knoche made six clearances and one block during Wednesday's 2-1 win over Werder Bremen.

Impact Knoche had another solid performance at the heart of the defense, pacing his side in clearances and not letting the opposition generating anything from open play. The center-back finds himself among Bundesliga's top ten plays with most clearances and he'll now try to keep it up during Saturday's Berlin derby against Hertha.

JANUARY 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Misses penalty in loss Knoche missed a penalty and made four clearances during Sunday's 4-1 loss to Freiburg.

Impact Knoche had a chance to save his team after conceding twice in the first nine minutes but instead put his attempt wide of the goal. With three goals, one assist and nine clean sheets in 20 appearances to open the season, Knoche has done well enough to earn further attention if he and his teammates can reverse the negative mood of conceding 11 goals in the last three matches.

NOVEMBER 14, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Busy defensively Knoche had three tackles (two won), one clearance, and two interceptions in Sunday's 2-1 win over Monchengladbach.

Impact Knoche has had a tale of two competitions. In the Bundesliga he's an industrious central defender with plenty of defensive volume. In the Europa League he's apparently an attacking central defender, with three goal contributions in five matches. Knoche and Union Berlin are flying high and his consistent starting role with eight clean sheets in 16 matches make him a valuable central defensive option in all formats.

OCTOBER 31, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Pefok scores on Bundesliga debut as Union beats Hertha 3-1

United States forward Jordan Pefok has scored on his Bundesliga debut to help Union Berlin defeat Hertha Berlin 3-1 in their first league game of the season

AUGUST 6, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Nets rare goal Knoche scored one goal to go with one shot (one on goal) and two chances created in Saturday's 3-1 victory against Hertha BSC Berlin.

Impact Knoche scored in the opening match of the season, a rare return for the central defender who failed to score in the entirety of the 2021/22 campaign. Knoche may not be a major goal threat but Union Berlin had one of the most impressive defenses last time out and Knoche is a central part of that defense that earned eight clean sheets on the way to a fifth-placed finish.

AUGUST 6, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Starts all but one match Knoche made 33 starts, missing one match through suspension during the 2021/22 campaign.

Impact Knoche has now played 67 of the last 68 matches for Union Berlin, making him one of the most consistent ironmen in Germany. The central defender has been an excellent stat-sheet filler, with 146 clearances, 50 tackles, and 49 interceptions. Knoche will be right back in the starting XI for Union Berlin in the 2022/23 season.

JUNE 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Bayern builds 7-point lead, Hertha gets 1st win in 2022

Bayern Munich has opened up a seven-point lead at the top of the Bundesliga with a 4-0 win against Union Berlin

MARCH 19, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS