“We have a tremendous chance to play a bit of theme bingo away from home and clear up a few things,” 1. FC Köln head coach René Wagner said ahead of Sunday’s Bundesliga fixture.
Köln travels to face Union Berlin on Sunday, November 1, 2026, at 15.30 local time (CET), broadcasting live on DAZN, with team officials confirming the final squad departed Geißbockheim at 15:00 CET on Saturday, Express reported.
Training Ground Constraints and a Special Visitor in Cologne
The squad wrapped up its final preparations at Geißbockheim under unusual logistical conditions. Because the stadium pitch was occupied by the club’s women’s team—who hosted RB Leipzig in the DFB-Pokal round of 16 at 13:00 CET—the professional men’s team could not hold a closed session. DFB goalkeeper coach and former Köln netminder Stefan Wessels used the open access to observe the training session in a private capacity, paying particular attention to number-one choice Marvin Schwäbe, according to Express.
🔚 FULLTIME🔴 FC Cologne 5-0 Union Berlin ⚪▪️ FC Köln delivered an absolute masterclass at the RheinEnergieStadion, crushing a completely overwhelmed Union Berlin side with an emphatic five-goal shutout.#DFBPokal #KOEFCU pic.twitter.com/rCI5xkHUeQ
Schwäbe turned in a sharp performance during set-piece drills and stopped a penalty kick from Reigan Heskey during team drills. While Wessels has tracked Schwäbe over a longer period, the goalkeeper is not considered an immediate candidate for the senior national team setup. Alongside the senior session, the club’s U19 side faced Fortuna Köln at the same complex, rounding out a packed Saturday schedule at the club’s home grounds.
Squad Selection and Striker Shortages on the Road
Ache and Gil Neves were left behind in Cologne and did not board the team bus.
Local reporting from KSTA highlighted that the team bus nearly shared space with the departing transport of the RB Leipzig women’s delegation following their cup fixture.
Tactical Outlook and the DFB-Pokal Contrast
Sunday’s encounter comes just days after Köln dismantled Union Berlin 5:0 away from home in the second round of the DFB-Pokal on Tuesday. Despite that emphatic cup victory, Wagner warned his players against complacency when speaking to reporters on Saturday. Union currently sits 17th in the Bundesliga table with six points from their opening matches, trailing Köln by two points.
“I never tire of emphasizing, not even to the team: It will be a completely different game,” Wagner said. “We must not think that because we won 5:0 at home, we can just drive there and put another five past them. It won’t be that simple.”
Köln enters the fixture searching for their first away victory in the league in over a year, a statistical drought Wagner has openly targeted ending. The match serves as a crucial cushion in the relegation battle before fixtures against top-tier contenders Bayer Leverkusen and Bayern Munich arrive on the schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Match
Where and when is the match being played?
Union Berlin hosts 1. FC Köln on Sunday, November 1, 2026, with kickoff scheduled for 15.30 CET.
Where can viewers watch the game live?
The fixture is broadcast live on DAZN, with supplementary live text coverage provided via Express.
Who is missing from the Köln lineup due to injury?
Köln travels without Ragnar Ache, while Gil Neves also stayed behind in Cologne.
Related reading
