Union Berlin - Real Madrid summary: score, goals & highlights | Champions League
Union Berlin - Real Madrid: as it happened
Full-time thoughts:
In the end, it was probably a fair result to see Real Madrid take the win, despite Union Berlin's best efforts.
They played a serious game and did not look like a side who were cruising to the Round of 16 without a care in the world. They knew how tough things would be and everybody pulled their weight in the game.
Joselu got Madrid's first two goals after Volland had put hope into the veins of the home side with a strike late on in the first half.
The two headers from the Spaniard looked to have Real Madrid safe and sound, but a late strike from Kral returned the faith to the voices of the home fans.
Alas, it was not to be, and a counter attack saw Ceballos' deflected effort spin into the far corner to give the away side the three points and seal a perfect record in the Group Stage.
That's all, folks!
Thanks for following along with what was, in the end, an extremely exciting game in the Champions League!
Joe
Full-time!
Real Madrid complete a perfect record in the UEFA Champions League group stage!
One last attack for the home side is cut out by Fran García. That should be it.
Rüdiger does well to win the battle against Laidouni on the left side. More time goes by for the home side as Real Madrid don't rush the dead ball.
Real Madrid are happy to keep the ball and watch the clock tick on as Union Berlin's players continue to chase.
Nico Paz ON
Ceballos OFF
5 minutes added.
The ex-Betis player took the ball on the edge of the box after a lovely pass from Bellingham. He took a shot from the right towards the far post and the deflected effort bounced past Rønnow!
REAL MADRID CHANCE
Kroos sees his long-range effort saved low down!
Back underway. Union Berlin need one goal!
The ball is played across the box and it's left to bobble on the edge fo the area. Kral steps in and pokes a shot with his toe into the far bottom corner of the goal!
GAME ON!
Modric is having a great time out there right now, he's dancing all over the pitch and really showing his class against his midfield opponents.
Union Berlin get down the left and Aaronson almost gets on the end of the cross; Real Madrid clear with ease.
Trimmel & Aaronson ON
Volland & Juranovic OFF
Brahim Díaz ON
Rodrygo OFF
CHANCE FOR UNION BERLIN
Laidouni got in behind on the right but, for some reason, he went for the chip, which sailed over the bar.
Modric has just played a chipped pass to Bellingham who was a yard to his right. The amazing thing was that the ball was lofted over the head of the defender in the way. Delightful football from the Croatian.
We're back underway and Joselu is going to try and continue.
Joselu is still down...
Laidouni is immediately booked for an ugly challenge on Joselu.
Kral, Becker & Laidouni ON
Jaeckel, Khedira & Gosens OFF
We're back underway and one gets the feeling that Union Berlin's task is bordering on the impossible.
A wonderful move from Madrid: Modric opens delightfully to Fran García and the cross is low, but that doesn't both Joselu, who gets his head down to poke the ball past the goalkeeper at the near post!
Rüdiger ON
Alaba OFF
These possession spells are asking Union Berlin if they want to play, a 'come at us' plea.
Ceballos loses the ball and the home side attack. It's Joselu who gets back quickest to steal the ball back. Madrid advance and Modric's skyward shot finishes the move.
A long spell of possession for Real Madrid makes sure that Union's players have their heads screwed on and their pupils enlarged. Players in black and spinning and spiralling all around the pitch as the red shirts try their best to follow them.
I have to say, despite the team's energy levels rising and dropping over the course of the game, the fans certainly haven't stopped - they're still going like it's minute one!
REAL MADRID CHANCE
Ceballos puts a cross in from the left and Alaba redirects the ball towards goal, watching it spin dangerously over the bar.
Real Madrid are straight back on it, looking for goal number three. Knoche heads back to his goalkeeper after Bellingham chipped an ambitious pass over the defensive line.
How the table looks:
My delightful little graphic hasn't updated quite yet but Union Berlin are bottom on 3 points, with Braga just ahead on 4.
Back underway...
Rodryog gets down the right, floats in a lofted cross and Joselu hovers like a hummingbird before nodding in at the far post!
An hour gone in Germany and it's still the home side with the advantage, although Real Madrid are sniffing around like the Big, Bad Wolf.
A half chance for Madrid as Joselu heads over from a Modric cross that is swung in from the left.
KEPA MAKES A HUGE SAVE
Wow, Union Berlin attack and the ball somehow nearly ends up with Volland on his own as Real Madrid panic.
Kepa is caught out and dives backwards from outside his box back into the area, leaping on top of the bobbling ball.
WHAT A SAVE FROM RØNNOW
Bellingham floats a cross towards the far post that's met by Rodrygo and the header is going in... until Rønnow gets a magical hand to the ball at the last second!
Alaba is booked for a late challenge on Behrens. Rüdiger is warming up for Real Madrid.
ALABA SAVES MADRID
The home side counter and Alaba gets a touch on the searching ball that looked set to play Volland in behind the defence on halfway!
Union Berlin's left-back Roussillon does well to block a series of attempted crosses from Lucas and Ceballos down the right side.
Union Berlin look, as you might expect, a lot more comfortable in defensive moments as Madrid ping the ball between their defence and midfield.
It was a delightfully acrobatic kick from the right-back, who caught the ball perfectly from the edge of the box. A great save, as well. Real Madrid have a corner...
CHANCE FOR REAL MADRID
Kroos' free-kick is headed out to Lucas, who smashes a volley towards goal that is fantastically saved!
He took a hit to the face as he challenged for a header. He looks OK to continue. We're back underway.
Hold up, Nacho's down...
Sighs and groans from the crowd as a low, driven pass slices through Madrid's defence but Volland can't get up to speed to chase it down.
CHANCE FOR UNION BERLIN
The ball is lofted in from the right and it's Gosens who sends the header over.
And we're off!
The home side get us going for the second half.
Kroos ON
Valverde OFF
Is Kroos about to come on?
The German is going through a rigorous warmup on the pitch, so we might see him sooner rather than later.
Almost ready to restart!
A serious-faced Ancelotti has just stepped out of the tunnel, throwing a large number of unsuspecting chewing gums into his mouth.
Safe to say the Union Berlin Twitter account enjoyed that!
Is this for the penalty save or the goal? I don't think they care!
Let me explain the goal:
With all the madness I forgot to explain what actually happened: it was a long ball from the goalkeeper that wasn't dealt with by Real Madrid. The ball bounced towards Alaba and the defender skewed a clearance,allowing Volland in to slide underneath Kepa!
Here's how things look:
As things stand, Union Berlin are going into the Europa League!
| group C | T | MP | W | D | L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 15 | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 |
| 2 | 10 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 |
| 3 | 5 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| 4 | 4 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
And that's half-time!
Well, Real Madrid had dominated but Modric missed a penalty and Volland went up the other end and put his side into dreamland against the 14-time European champions!
It was all Real Madrid: they had chances, possession, positional dominance and everything else you can think of, but Union Berlin have the goal that came just before half-time!
VOLLAND SCORES!!!
MODRIC HAS MISSED!
He went low to the left and goalkeeper got a strong hand to it!
PENALTY TO REAL MADRID!!
GOAL UPDATE: Napoli 2-0 Braga
Fantastic news for Union Berlin as their Italian friends are now 2 goals up against the Portuguese side.
Real Madrid are still pushing - they're on 9 shots at the moment - as Modric's corner is caught by Rønnow.
CHANCE FOR REAL MADRID
Bellingham gets his boot behind the ball and fires a powerful efforttowards goal from the left. It spins away from goal and causes no worry for the home side.
Both Bellingham and Khedira are booked. The first of the day.
It's still Real Madrid with the possession as we pas the half-hour mark. Union Berlin know that they have time - and potentially mental strength - on their side.
The cross from Lucas comes to nothing as it's fired over everyone in the box, but Real Madrid's passing move leading up to the delivery was pure joy.
Bellingham, Joselu, Rodrygo, Ceballos: they were all involved as the twisting, turning runs sent the red shirts of the home side spinning.
Despite the calm situation in which Real Madrid finds themselves, Carlo Ancelotti has not stopped shouting and pacing up and down his technical area. That poor chewing gum has also suffered greatly, and we're not even half an hour in.
VALVERDE FIRES WIDE
It's the Uruguayan who hits the dead ball and the goalkeeper stretches towards the far post, but the shot flies past the net.
Real Madrid have a dangerous free-kick on the edge of the box with Alaba standing over it...
Valverde, who is playing in the holding role, gets down the left and smashes a low ball backwards towards the penalty spot; it's missed by everyone and ends with Lucas on the right, who wastes the chance.
Twenty minutes in and it's been all Real Madrid so far: they have had 77% of the ball and are looking sharp...
Union Berlin get forward down the left and the ball is played to Volland, who twists his body awkwardly to make contact and send it towards Lun- sorry, Kepa, who saves easily.
Real Madrid are choosing their moments wisely to attack and are turning the speed of their play up to 100 every 90 seconds or so, kind of like using DRS on a Formula 1 car.
CHANCE FOR REAL MADRID
The speed of play picks up and Fran García drives forward before firing in a cross from the left that's met by Joselu. The Spaniard leaps and whacks a header towards goal that skims the crossbar!
Real Madrid are still dominating possession in the middle third as Union Berlin allow them to play between the defenders.
GOAL UPDATE: Napoli 1-0 Braga
Good news for Union Berlin as Braga go behind in Italy.
CHANCE FOR REAL MADRID
Bellingham (seriously, this guy?!) opens play out to the left and Rodrygo finds him again, but the shot towards the far post is wayward.
CHANCE FOR REAL MADRID
Ceballos gets a foot on the ball as it is cleared from the corner but his shot is poor and flies wide.
CHANCE FOR REAL MADRID
It's Bellingham, of course, who gets in behind and he's played inside by Lucas down the right. The number '5' smashes a low drive at the goalkeeper from a tight angle which is saved out for a corner.
It's the away side who are still in control of the ball as Union Berlin stand off and wait for their moment.
Lucas Vázquez receives on the right, before cutting inside in search of a dancing partner. He finally spots Joselu, who has stepped in to space at the top of the Union Berlin box, but his attempt at a give-and-go with the striker is unsuccessful. Joselu is crowded out, and Union clear.
To loud whistles from the home fans, it's all Madrid ball in these opening minutes.
Peeeep! We're underway in the German capital!
What an atmosphere at the Olympiastadion!
You wouldn't think, given the noise, that their team are bottom of Group C - it doesn't seem to bother the Union Berlin fans who make an earth-shattering noise as the players step out onto the pitch!
The players are in the tunnel!
The teams are slowly making their way out of the dressing rooms and lining up in the tunnel!
A final reminder of the XIs:
UNION BERLIN [4-2-3-1]:
GK: Rønnow
DEF: Jaekel - Knoche - Leite - Rousmillon
MID: Khedira - Haberer - Volland
ATT: Gosens - Behrens - Juranovic
REAL MADRID [4-3-1-2]:
GK: Kepa
DEF: Lucas - Nacho - Alaba - Fran
MID: Valverde - Modric - Ceballos - Bellingham
ATT: Rodrygo - Joselu
Less than ten to go!
The warmups have finished at the players are trotting down the tunnel for a final pre-game orange and some tactical chat.
The results are intriguing!
Have a look at our Twitter poll on whether you think the new changes to the format of the Champions League - which will see the group stages abolished - are a positive or negative thing for football in Europe.
Here's some pre-match reading to get your teeth into:
Reports from France say that PSG winger Kylian Mbappé may sign a long-term deal with the French club.
Twenty minutes to go!
The two sides are on the pitch and are currently undergoing their pre-match warmups ahead of kick-off!
Kepa is in the hot seat tonight
A lot of eyes will be on the ex-Chelsea stopper as he reclaims his place in the starting XI after overcoming his injury.
In his absence, Lunin has performed exceptionally well, causing many fans to think he should be the number 1 goalkeeper over the loanee.
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As well as their promising form, Union Berlin fans and players can look back to the last game against the 14-time European champions, held at the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu.
It was a spiky affair and the Germans frustrated Real Madrid for 93 minutes, with Jude Bellingham needed to score the winner right at the end of the game, giving us a glimpse at his superpowers on a football pitch.
Here's a reminder of the starting lineups:
UNION BERLIN [4-2-3-1]:
GK: Rønnow
DEF: Jaekel - Knoche - Leite - Rousmillon
MID: Khedira - Haberer - Volland
ATT: Gosens - Behrens - Juranovic
REAL MADRID [4-3-1-2]:
GK: Kepa
DEF: Lucas - Nacho - Alaba - Fran
MID: Valverde - Modric - Ceballos - Bellingham
ATT: Rodrygo - Joselu
Want to watch the game?
If you want to watch today’s action from Germany, then give FuboTV a go, where you can feast your eyes on the game with a free trial.
Real Madrid arrive at the stadium!
Los Blancos, who will be wearing black tonight, have arrived at the Berlin Olympic stadium!
Sofascore bringing the goods:
Can they do it? Or is having a 100% an omen for going out in the semi-finals?
Carlo Ancelotti pre-match press conference:
On Union Berlin:
Union Berlin have changed their system, their approach, they'll look to play more on the front foot than they did in the first game. The new coach has changed things. There are no secrets in football, we will have to respect them. It will be an entertaining and hard-fought game.
On Toni Kroos:
He looks good to me and whatever he decides to do next year will be respected by everyone. Legends, like Kroos, Modrić or Nacho, have earned the right to decide what they want to do in the future. The club has such enormous respect for them that they have earned that option.
On Brahim:
The time he spent in Milan has helped him defensively. He's come back in prime tactical conditions. His positioning without the ball is fantastic and that's pretty unusual to find in a forward of his quality.
Comparing Bellingham to Kaká:
Kaká used to drive into the box with the ball but he didn't have Bellingham's ability to arrive in the box without the ball. That really makes a difference. Not playing with a fixed striker gives him more chance to get into the box with more space to shoot. It was a different system with Kaká and it was harder for him. Bellingham's movement without the ball is incredibly effective.
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Vini Jr is not included in either Real Madrid's starting XI or squad as he continues his recovery from an injury he suffered on international duty against Colombia.
The player was seen training on the pitch and a video made many Real Madrid fans jump for joy when he as seen with a ball at his feet, although we will have to continue the wait to see him back in a white shirt.
Real Madrid to play in their third kit tonight
Adidas call the kit "a nod to Real Madrid's sparkling away performances" - and who am I to argue with that?
At least they admit it's black and not 'deep space charcoal'.
"We've taken inspiration from Real Madrid’s long-standing place as trendsetters in the game of football, to create something that allows fans and players to stand out," said Sam Handy, Adidas' vice president for football design.
Is Carlo being too risky today?
The Italian coach very rarely gets criticised at Real Madrid for his team selection, but when he does, it's usually about one thing: rotation.
Ancelotti has gone with what is, given the injuries, an almost full-strength starting XI, with key players such as Bellingham, Rodrygo, Alaba and Kroos all starting.
My question is simple: are these players needed on a day like today?
Real Madrid are through, they're playing against the bottom team in the group and the calendar is relentless around this time of year.
I don't want to tempt fate, but an injury today to an important player would be catastrophic... and entirely avoidable.
How can I watch the game?
If you want to watch today’s action from Germany, then check out the link to FuboTV, where you can feast your eyes on the game with a free trial.
We've got something different today...
This isn't your usual 'who's going to win?' poll.
Instead, I'm asking whether or not you agree with the changes to the UEFA Champions League, which are set to come in as of next season.
Get yourself acquainted withthe new UCL format and vote in our poll.
Here are today's fixtures!
As well as the minute-by-minute coverage of Union Berlin-Real Madrid, I'll also be keeping an eye on the other Group C game and giving you goal updates as they fly in, plus any other UCL breaking news, so don't worry.
Filip Singer / EFE
Union Berlin's turnaround in form
While you may forgiven for thinking that this could be a thumping 0-7 victory for Los Blancos against a side who are down on their luck, the reality now is slightly different.
Nenad Bjelica has come in to turn around Union Berlin’s results and he’s done quite well so far. The side drew against Braga in the Champions League - a fixture that Real Madrid found difficult - and they won at the weekend against Borussia Mönchengladbach.
Today’s game is without doubt the toughest test yet but Union Berlin certainly come into the game with their chest puffed out and a little more confidence than before.
The turnaround in form will also likely affect the fans, who will put on a show for us today at the Olympiastadion.
Here's how the stadium looks ahead of kick-off!
Safe to say it won't be this relaxing and quiet once the fans are allowed inside!
How the table looks:
As mentioned, Real Madrid have a squeaky clean record in Group C and booked their place in the next round weeks ago.
They’ve managed to get past every obstacle that has been put in their way, although it’s not been an entirely smooth ride, with every opponent giving them a headache at some point.
A point will mean Napoli are also through, and they face a Braga side knowing that even if they can't win, a draw will be enough to see them pip last-placed Union Berlin to a Europa League spot.
| group C | T | MP | W | D | L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 15 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| 3 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| 4 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 3 |
Ancelotti reveals starting XI:
This might be a record for Carlo. We're used to him putting his team news out early, but 2.5 hours?!
Anyway, Bellingham and Rodrygo are perhaps the main surprises as we expected a little more rotation from the Italian, with the little boy Nico Paz widely expected to play from the off.
What's at stake today?
While heads may not roll if the result goes one way instead of another, tonight’s tie in Germany is still an intriguing affair.
Real Madrid will be looking for the three points in order to seal a 100% record in the Champions League group stage and move on comfortably to the next round while Union Berlin still have one hand on Europa League qualification.
If Braga lose to Napoli in Group C’s other tie, then the German side will know that three points against a potentially relaxed Real Madrid will put them into Europe’s second competition.
Injuries and absences: Union Berlin
There are a few missing players for Bjelica’s side tonight as Doekhi is out with a knock, as is Becker, Union Berlin’s main goal threat.
Tousart and Bonucci will also miss out due to suspension.
Injuries and absences: Real Madrid
Thibaut Courtois (ACL) is still the long-term absentee, with, Éder Militão (ACL), Eduardo Camavinga (knee), AurélienTchouaméni (foot), Arda Güler (thigh), Dani Carvajal (calf) and Vinícius Júnior (hamstring) all making up the rest of absentees for the game tonight.
KepaArrizabalaga (groin) has returned to the side after being declared fit enough to play against Betis, although his place is under threat from Lunin.
Welcome!
Hello, hello and a warm welcome to the ASUSA live blog, where I’ve got the pleasure of keeping you up to date with what’s going on during the final match day of the Group Stage in the UEFA Champions League!
It’s Joe here today on duty as Real Madrid take on Union Berlin at the Berlin Olympic Stadium!