New starting eleven opportunity for Union Berlin’s Joker Vertessen?

Yorbe Vertessen in conversation with Bo Svensson.
IMAGO/Matthias Koch

Coach Bo Svensson gave the professionals of 1. FC Union Berlin two days to digest the late 0-1 defeat at Borussia Mönchengladbach – physically and mentally. After Sunday and Monday without training, the players had to go back to work on Tuesday morning.

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When the actors came onto the pitch, it was raining heavily in cool temperatures. But that also created royal moments and memories in Köpenick. To protect themselves from the lush water, employees in the media department dug out huge blue umbrellas that had the Champions League logo on them.

Memories of the Champions League

These probably came from the previous season, in which the Iron Men were part of the field of participants in the most important European club competition. A touch of great football will also blow through the An der Alten Försterei stadium next Saturday (3:30 p.m., LIVE! on kicker) when Champions League finalists Borussia Dortmund are guests.

For Union it’s about remaining stable despite the first defeat of the season. It will also be a duel of opposites in terms of goal difference. With eleven goals, BVB scored almost three times as often as Union (four). In return, Borussia conceded nine goals, three times as many as FCU (three).

Vertessen lying in wait

In Tuesday’s games, Svensson tried to strengthen both the defense and the offense. However, there are no new alternatives in terms of personnel on the front line. Attacker Ivan Prtajin was missing again. The Croatian was still unable to train with the team after his knee injury last Wednesday.

Yorbe Vertessen may be able to hope to rotate into the starting eleven. At the end of the training, coach Svensson tried to talk to the Belgian. Vertessen came off the bench in four of the five championship games so far. As a joker he was busy, especially in the 0-0 draw at RB Leipzig. The 23-year-old almost scored the opening goal in Mönchengladbach. He failed at the post.

If Vertessen were to be in the starting line-up again against Dortmund, he would have to prove that he can do things right from the start.