Union and Köln meet again after a cup match whose score grew sharply after the first breakthrough. Köln's quick regain can reach El Mala before Union's back line settles, while Union's home shape can make the visitors build through a compact defence. The first clearance and the next ball into the box should decide whether either side turns territory into a winner.
Krauß, Maina and El Mala made Köln's cup attack work, but Union also reached the box repeatedly and had shots blocked. Lustrinelli has called for closer cover on El Mala, and Union's recent home games showed a compact block with a late finish against Elversberg. Aebischer and Schäfer can feed Skarke or Latte Lath, then collect the next ball from a restart or clearance. Union's Ilic, Uduokhai, Skov and Nsoki remain unavailable and missed the cup; Köln's Ache and Skhiri also missed it, and the club says its squad is unchanged. The move to Union's home ground and Köln's limited recent away supply after an early chance give Union a route to turn that box access into the deciding goal. That's why I'm siding with Union Berlin.
