{"id":17573,"date":"2023-10-24T19:27:08","date_gmt":"2023-10-24T19:27:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.pakistaninewspaperlist.com\/union-hoping-to-get-back-on-track-the-express-tribune\/"},"modified":"2023-10-24T19:27:08","modified_gmt":"2023-10-24T19:27:08","slug":"union-hoping-to-get-back-on-track-the-express-tribune","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pakistaninewspaperlist.com\/news\/union-hoping-to-get-back-on-track-the-express-tribune\/","title":{"rendered":"Union hoping to get ‘back on track’ | The Express Tribune"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\nBERLIN:
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Union Berlin coach Urs Fischer was confident on Monday his struggling side would get “back on track” against Napoli<\/a> in Tuesday’s Champions League clash.<\/p>\n

Champions League debutants Union host the Serie A winners in the German capital on Tuesday night on a horror run of eight straight losses — by far the longest streak since the side’s first-ever promotion to the Bundesliga in 2019.<\/p>\n

“We’re making another attempt at getting back on track,” Fischer said, telling reporters in Berlin his side would approach the clash “with confidence and positive energy”.<\/p>\n

Union are still chasing their first point in the competition, having suffered injury-time defeats at Real Madrid and at home to Braga, the latter after taking a 2-0 lead.<\/p>\n

Fischer said he felt supported by the club despite the dry run and backed his team to return to form.<\/p>\n

“We’ve achieved our goals and celebrated successes together in the past few years,” he added.<\/p>\n

“Now it’s a little stormy. I’m not worried about what might happen in two, three weeks — I’m concentrating on the here and now.<\/p>\n

“Our task is Napoli.”<\/p>\n

Napoli coach Rudi Garcia said Union’s recent struggles would not factor in his side’s preparation.<\/p>\n

“Union Berlin’s recent history has been good,” he said. “They played excellently in the (Bundesliga) last year and deserved to enter the Champions League.<\/p>\n

“They are going through a difficult time at the moment but we know the value of their team — they have good players.”<\/p>\n

Union midfielder Rani Khedira, who made his first start of the season on Saturday after returning from injury, said his team were up for the task.<\/p>\n

“It’s a Champions League game against a very interesting opponent, so the mood has to be good automatically, even if things are a little complicated for us right now.”<\/p>\n

While star Napoli striker Victor Osimhen<\/a> will miss the clash with a hamstring injury, Fischer warned of forward Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who scored a double in the Italian side’s 3-1 win over Hellas Verona on Saturday.<\/p>\n

Fischer would not be drawn on whether Leonardo Bonucci would start the game, the Italian captain having spent Saturday’s 3-0 loss to Stuttgart on the bench.<\/p>\n

The coach did however reveal that Germany defender Robin Gosens was “under treatment” for an injury ahead of the game.<\/p>\n

Gosens has been a rare bright light for Union this season, impressing since his move from Inter Milan in the summer.<\/p>\n

“But I’m really positive things will work out with Robin tomorrow.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n