Dortmund vs Union Berlin

1. Core Players & Star Quality

Dortmund 
• Star attacking base: Guirassy (21G, 2A), Beier (8G, 5A), Gittens (8G, 3A), and Adeyemi (7G, 6A) provide variety in goals. 
• Julian Brandt (5G, 10A) and Pascal Groß (10A) deliver strong creative output. 
• Defensive stability usually with Ryerson, Anton, Schlotterbeck, but injuries weaken this line. 
• Kobel (32 starts) remains a reliable last line of defense. 

Union Berlin 
• Defensively strong unit led by Doekhi (34 apps, 3060 mins) and Khedira (31 apps, 2727 mins). 
• Goal threats: Andrej Ilic (7G), Oliver Burke (5G), and Hollerbach (9G) but Hollerbach has departed. 
• Midfield leadership through Janic Haberer (1700 mins) and Král (29 apps, 2713 mins). 
• Veteran presence in Trimmel (38 years, 1746 mins) helps stabilize right flank. 

2. Departures Impact

Dortmund 
• Lost Gittens (8G, 3A) - reduces attacking flair on the wings. 
• Depth hit in midfield rotation with no key losses, but ongoing injuries (Can, Schlotterbeck, Süle) mean fewer options available. 

Union Berlin 
• Departure of Hollerbach (9G) cuts a key scoring outlet. 
• Loss of Kevin Vogt (experienced CB) and Tom Rothe (3G, 3A) reduces depth on the left side. 
• Leaves the squad more reliant on Doekhi, Burke, and Ilic. 

3. New Player Integration

Dortmund 
• Jobe Bellingham added as midfield prospect. 
• Yan Couto (888 mins) provides energy at RB. 
• Daniel Svensson (779 mins, 3 assists) contributes from LB. 
• Depth signings yet to fully prove consistency. 

Union Berlin 
• Andrej Ilic (7G) has been a solid addition up front. 
• Robert Skov (2G, 2A) adds set-piece threat and flexibility on the left. 
• Yorbe Vertessen (1G) and Wooyeong Jeong (3G, 2A) offer pace but limited end product. 
• Stanley Nsoki (defense) injured but was an important reinforcement. 

4. Assists & Goals Output

Dortmund 
• Guirassy the clinical finisher (21G). 
• Beier (8G, 5A) and Adeyemi (7G, 6A) give width and penetration. 
• Brandt (10A) and Groß (10A) double-creative engines. 
• Multiple contributors across attack = unpredictability. 

Union Berlin 
• Goals mainly from Ilic (7G), Burke (5G), Doekhi and Leite occasionally. 
• Creativity weaker - limited double-digit assist producers. 
• Reliance on collective play and set-pieces rather than individual brilliance. 

5. Substitutes’ Experience & Depth

Dortmund 
• Impact subs: Reyna (2G), Felix Nmecha (4G, 1A), and Adeyemi when rotated. 
• Squad stretched defensively with Schlotterbeck, Süle, Can injured. 
• Still maintain more high-impact subs than Union. 

Union Berlin 
• Sub options: Vertessen (1G), Skov (2G, 2A), and Jeong (3G, 2A). 
• Lack of depth in central defense with Nsoki and Ogbemudia unavailable. 
• Struggles to find game-changers off the bench compared to Dortmund. 

6. Forecast & Expected Dynamics

1. Dortmund Advantage: Superior attacking depth, more individual match-winners (Guirassy, Brandt, Beier, Adeyemi). 

1. Union Berlin Challenge: Rely on defensive structure and counterattacks; but missing Hollerbach and defensive injuries limit options. 

1. Likely Flow: Dortmund dominate possession (60–65%), Union sit deep and look for direct play through Ilic and Burke. 

7. Predicted Strength Balance

• Dortmund: ★★★★☆ (Strong) - elite attack with multiple scorers, though defensive absences reduce solidity.
  • Union Berlin: ★★☆☆☆ (Below Average) - compact shape but reduced firepower and weakened depth.

Projected Result: Dortmund win, likely 2–1 or 3–1, with Union’s defensive resilience tested but broken by Dortmund’s multi-layered attack.