Contacto:
+34 643406960
contacto@discoveryfootball.com
If there is one team this year that steals the show and causes the admiration of friends and rivals in Germany, maybe even in Europe, it is definitely Union Berlin. A team that finishes higher every year, with the highlight being last year's 5th place and exit to Europe. And this year, she has set out to drive the football world of her country crazy.
“The players know exactly what they're going to do before the game but there's nothing you can do about it. This is an element of a top team," said Borussia Dortmund coach Edin Terzic after the loss against Union.
In the "Alten Försterei" Union have not experienced a defeat this year, while last year, on their way to fifth place in the standings, they had just one defeat!
Hertha Berlin, Leipzig, Wolfsburg, Dortmund and Gladbach left with their heads down and the streak continues. Borussia and Bayern are the only teams in recent years that have managed to get away with the double from there.
The truth is that Union has a very special relationship with the local community, there are well known stories about how the people put their own little stone (literally!) for its reconstruction, as well as a tradition with Christmas at the stadium.
Sometimes, it's better to do one thing really well than to try 11 different ones that don't work. Union are a team incredibly focused on their game. Reminds me of an English team. Her team runs the length and breadth of the pitch and her footballers mark all over the pitch. Constantly. They don't let the opponent even...breathe.
Union then bowed out at home to Bochum and many thought it might be time to break. But they overcame Braga in Europe and stayed top of the Bundesliga thanks to another impressive display, with Doecki's 97th-minute goal against Gladbach extending their home run.
The explanation for the first place held by the Union is purely football. And it all starts with her blocking function, as Urs Fischer has built the team and worked a lot on the intensity she brings out in duels and regaining possession. Her footballers help each other, support each other, never leave a teammate alone.
Union are the team that runs the most in the Bundesliga, averaging 118.8 kilometers per match. Even Union (along with Bayern and Eintracht) allow the fewest shots on target in the big division and accept the fewest chances. In fact, he has 12.45 expected goals against and has conceded 9 goals! Only Bayern Munich have fewer xGoals against (11.45), but have conceded one more goal!
Union is also killer in attack. In fact, the one who really impresses is Seraldo Becker. The Surinamese striker has 7 goals in the Bundesliga, This is the epitome of efficiency. Fast, he shoots from difficult positions and manages to send the ball into the opponent's net. The goal against Leipzig and the way the ball reaches him on the right wing to finish with a set piece from the area is a very typical image of Union's 'iron' style. Incredible intensity in marking, inflexible under pressure and a striker who can run with the ball and have a clear mind in the final effort.
Fischer's 3-5-2 covers the entire pitch and players rarely leave empty spaces, suffocating the opposition in pressure. This of course does not mean that he does not have units capable of making a difference, With Khedira dominating the midfield, Hamberer coming from Freiburg and "buttoning" perfectly, adding goals as well, Trimmer looking evergreen, the experienced Noke to complement the dynamic Leite and Noke in defense. The American Siebatcheu, to flank Becker.
Union fans are starting to dream about their team. Fisher tries to keep the ball low. It is reasonable. In such a special year, though, with the Worlds in November, it's reasonable to hope so. Even if their team scores more than they "should" and that might backfire at some point, Union's mentality and image on the pitch is enough to win over people inside and outside of Berlin. What this will achieve we will find out in May...There is still a way to go.