Bayern Munich set for Fortress vs Union Berlin

Constructed and maintained by the blood, sweat and song of a unique footballing faithful, Union Berlin’s Stadion an der Alten Försterei is a fitting venue for a forthcoming Bundesliga fixture that pits best-in-class Bayern Munich against Urs Fischer’s high-flying Irons.

If winning promotion to Germany’s top tier was the achievement of a long-held dream for Union’s remarkable supporters back in 2019, Saturday’s visit of record champions Bayern to the Berlin borough of Köpenick in a top-of-the-table clash must almost seem like the stuff of fairy tales. They may still be pinching themselves at the prospect of all of this after witnessing their team’s best-ever start to a Bundesliga campaign, but you can bet that the locals will arrive in their droves this weekend to ensure their cherished home becomes Fortress Försterei in the face of the distinguished guests.

The likes of on-fire forwards Sheraldo Becker and Jordan are attracting all of the media attention following an incredible start that has Union sitting second in the standings for the first time ever. What cannot be ignored at the capital club, however, is local fan power.

Union have lost just twice in their last 35 home games in Germany’s top division [against Bayern and Borussia Dortmund] and the bond created between supporters and team has helped to propel The Irons to even greater heights of late.

That Union’s fans came together to begin helping with the reconstruction of the Stadion An der Alten Försterei back in 2008 is now largely well known in footballing circles the world over. But it didn’t just end with more than 2,300 volunteers putting in the hard work of laying bricks and installing key elements inside the ground, with 140,000 collective hours of work contributed. There was also a push to raise funds for the the club through the “Bleed for Union” project, a campaign whereby supporters donated blood – donors in Germany get paid – to add some much-needed cash to the Union coffers.

“The people [here] have values that are important to them; I believe in the end it is a club of the heart,” Union’s coach, Urs Fischer, told the BBC. “When you look out the window and consider that the fans helped to build this stadium, this is really out of the ordinary,” the Swiss tactician added.

The teams are level at the top of the standings on 10 points and although Bayern have scored a jaw-dropping 16 goals in four games (13 of those on the road), Union have the second-highest total in the division (11). Fischer’s men even hit Schalke for six last time out, the 6-1 triumph in Gelsenkirchen representing Die Eisernen’s biggest-ever win in the Bundesliga.

Fortress Försterei will thus be well prepared, the home fans ready to play their part in helping to push their team towards what could – given the right result – represent one of the greatest days in Union Berlin’s fascinating history. “We are going to keep doing it how we like it,” Arbeit once explained to Sky. “And, if you are someone who likes to throw themselves into it, come here to Union and jump in the mosh pit.” Union’s fans, of course, will supply the music.