Union Berlin vs. Stuttgart: A duel full of surprises and returnees!

Union Berlin vs. Stuttgart: A duel full of surprises and returnees!

In an exciting Bundesliga season, the background and connections between 1. FC Union Berlin and VfB Stuttgart focus on the background. Both Rani Khedira and Benedict Hollerbach have a past at VfB. The latter played in the youth of FC Bayern Munich under Sebastian Hoeneß, while Khedira has had an equally remarkable career.

also has a direct reference to Woyeong Jeong, which, however, fails as a loan from VfB in the current season due to an injury. This injury throws shadows on the planning of the Stuttgart coach. Jamie Leweling, who also moved from Union to Stuttgart, is currently fighting with his own injury. In the 2022/23 season, he played 25 games for Union before being awarded to Stuttgart and was then contracted last season.

links between the clubs

The connection between the clubs goes beyond the players. VfB sports director Christian Gentner played for Union from 2019 to 2021 and can look back on 53 Bundesliga missions for the Köpenickers. Fabian Wohlgemuth, the sports director of the VfB, started his official career at Union.

Special mention deserves Helmut Schulte, who is responsible for the loan players of VfB and previously headed the license player department at the 1. FC Union from February 2016 to summer 2018. In addition, Horst Heldt, Managing Director Professional Sport of the Men at Union, brings his experience with 75 Bundesliga missions for Stuttgart to the current season at Union.

transfers and new additions to VfB Stuttgart

The transfer balance of VfB Stuttgart, which is drawn after the Vice Championship last season, shows both light and shadow. Departures such as Serhou Guirassy and Waldemar Anton to Borussia Dortmund and Hiroki Ito to FC Bayern Munich were recorded. On the other hand, the club and coaching team were able to make important permanent commitments with players such as Anthony Rouault and Deniz Undav.

Especially the storm has visible in quality due to the new additions. Ermedin Demirovic, who was signed by FC Augsburg for over 20 million euros, scored his first goal in the second minute of his first game and has scored a total of seven goals so far. Nick Woltemade scored his first Bundesligator on the tenth matchday and scored a total of four goals, while El Bilal Touré failed several weeks due to a breakthrough.

• new additions in the storm:
  • Ermedin Demirovic: 7 goals (record transfer, over 20 million euros)
  • Nick Woltemade: 4 goals (first goal on the 10th matchday)
  • el Bilal Touré: injury, lacked several weeks
• new additions in defense:
  • Jeff Chabot: highest pass rate (91.2 %), 52 header duelle
  • Ameen al-Dakhil: limited operations
  • Ramon Hendriks: Mostly short assignments

The previous newcomers show a mixed picture. While some have integrated well and show potential for European competitions, others remain behind the expectations due to injuries.