Why Union Berlin will be ideal choice for Sheffield United fans as Bundesliga resumes

The beautiful game may have to wait for its own restart date in England next month, but the return of one of Europe’s marquee divisions in the Bundesliga will provide a much-needed football fix in this country again – and some inspiration in its own journey back.

Egan and Stevens will be avidly following the action along with many others who are cherishing what they hope will provide the first semblance of a return to normality in football across the continent following sport’s shutdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Egan said: “It is brilliant and I have been looking at the schedule and there are loads of games planned and there will be another Soccer Saturday show on and even my mates back home had written into the group chat picking a team.

“I think they have picked Union Berlin because they think they are similar to Sheffield United in the way they got promoted and are having a decent season.

“To be fair, I will be glued to the TV when football is back on.

“It will be great to see some bit of football and the Bundesliga is a good league with good teams. I cannot wait to see a bit of football.”

Alongside the action on the pitch, Stevens admits he will be especially interested in watching how the ‘new normal’ in terms of football behind closed doors and all the amended match-day protocols operates in practice in Germany.

“I will definitely be watching because we will have an opportunity to mimic what they are successful at in what they do,” the left-back added.

“If they do keep it successful, we want to copy that and if they do make a mistake, hopefully we will have time to avoid making the same mistakes.

“My fingers are crossed that everything goes smoothly for them and before you know it, we could be back in three or four weeks and it’s good for us to have a lot more knowledge and detail in how they have been so successful.”

Training at the club’s Shirecliffe base, complete for an whole range of health protocols and social distancing measures, has been a novel experience for Stevens, Egan and the rest of their Blades team-mates – just as match-days will be with the range of new conventions.

The government have cleared the way for the Premier League to return at some point next month, if the authorities are able to guarantee the safety of players, coaches and staff and Egan insists that he and his colleagues will be ready and up to speed for a return.

Egan commented: “We are used to pre-seasons and getting ready for games.

“We have had a good bit of time off, but it has not really been time off.

“Some of the sessions have been really tough and we had kept at it and everyone who done it down to a tee.

“We are making sure we are in the best possible shape to return and hit the ground running really.”

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