Champions League: Aristocrats Await New Guests

Real Madrid vs Union Berlin

Just how do you describe a Champions League clash of this nature?

For it truly is a case of the established European aristocrats up against the newly appointed house servants. I say that with utmost respect.

One club has the history of this competition written across its DNA; the other has never graced Europe’s top platform until now and is going to need to get used to what comes next.

Dare I say it? An opening group stage trip to the Bernabeu for Union Berlin really is David versus Goliath. Yet, if you finish in the top four in the Bundesliga, you must have something about you.

Talking Points

Union Berlin, who lost 2-1 away to Wolfsburg at the weekend, certainly do. It is a club with a fascinating history.

Ask any general football fan, and there will be a fair few who have not even heard of a club that until four and a half years ago, had never graced the German top flight.

However, since becoming the first club from the former East Berlin and the sixth from the former East Germany to reach the top tier, it has barely looked back.

The squad now boasts household names such as Leonardo Bonucci, who faced Los Blancos five times as a Juventus player. Kevin Volland is also on the books, along with fellow wide-man Robin Gosens, Josip Juranovic and reliable forward Kevin Behrens, who is in the best form of his career to date.

There is little doubt the German side will arrive in the Spanish capital somewhat under the radar in terms of more widely-known personnel; indeed will Champions League behemoths Real Madrid pay much heed prior to welcoming Die Eisernen?

Complacency is rare for any side managed by Carlo Ancelotti and, and are expected to produce Champions League 2023 highlights this season. Ancelotti’s side have made a good domestic start and maintained their perfect league run to reach 15 points in La Liga at the weekend.

Real Sociedad took the lead after just five minutes as former Madrid player Take Kubo found Ander Barrenetxea in the centre of the box to score at the second attempt.

Federico Valverde levelled the score in the opening seconds of the second half with a fierce shot from the edge of the box that hit the left post and crossed the line.

Joselu then earned the lead and the win for the hosts with a towering header from a Fran Garcia cross on the hour.

Right now, former Borussia Dortmund favourite Jude Bellingham is the man at the centre of everything Real do, and the English talent has five goals and one assist in as many La Liga games to date.

Union have plenty of information to hand on the England international having faced him six times, and gotten the better of the Birmingham-born superstar twice.

To do so again, though, would be the biggest shock of all as Europe’s premier competition returns in earnest with the new boys in town against the most seasoned European campaigners of all.

History

Given what you have read, you shouldn’t be surprised to hear this is the first ever meeting between 2022 winners Real Madrid – aiming for a record 15th European crown, and Union Berlin, competing in the tournament for the first time.

Betting Tip 

As SBOTOP Champions League 2023 betting odds go, this will be one of the more one-sided encounters this week.

Those who fancy Union Berlin to go to the Bernabeu with no fear can find odds on the Germans which include First Half 1X2 @ 5.80, First Half Asian Handicap +0.50 @ 1.97, 1X2 @ 7.80 and Asian Handicap +1.25 @ 2.08.

Real, by contrast, are on offer First Half 1X2 @ 1.91, First Half Asian Handicap -0.75 @ 2.33, 1X2 @ 1.34 and Asian Handicap -1.75 @ 2.42.

For goals, how about over 3.00 @ 2.17, total goal 0-1 @ 4.00, 2-3 @ 2.03 or 4-6 @ 3.05?

I think Union Berlin will go and do their bit but I cannot, nor would you expect me to, see beyond a Real victory.

 

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