Union Berlin Football Formation

Starting Lineup

Union Berlin aims to win the ball back high up the pitch and strike with intensity through a 3-5-2 formation. This lineup is built to play a high press and rely on quick transitions to catch the opposition off guard. The team wants to squeeze the space in the middle of the pitch to force turnovers and move the ball forward as fast as possible.

Rønnow stands between the posts to command the area and clear the lines when needed. A back three consisting of Leite, Doekhi, and Vogt provides a solid foundation to defend zonally. Doekhi and Leite act as the wide centre-backs who can step up to engage attackers, while Vogt holds the line to provide cover. This defensive unit works to stay compact and ensure that they do not get split by through balls.

The midfield operates with a central block designed to dominate the middle of the park. R. Khedira sits in a single pivot role to shield the defence and win the second ball. Rothe and Juranovic operate as the central engines, with Juranovic driving forward to support the attack and Rothe looking to recycle possession. Tousart and Schäfer act as more advanced midfielders in the half-spaces, helping to connect the defensive unit to the front two and pressing aggressively in a mid-block.

Up front, Union Berlin uses two forwards in a partnership to stretch the defence. Volland works as a striker who can hold up the ball and link up play with those arriving late into the box. Vertessen plays alongside him, often looking to make runs in behind the opposition back line to exploit space. The team builds play by using the wide midfielders to spread wide and create overloads, often looking to whip it in toward the penalty area.

One major advantage of this formation is the ability to press high in coordinated waves, using the front two and the attacking midfielders to trigger a press. The presence of Juranovic and Rothe allows for numerical superiority in midfield, making it difficult for opponents to play through the lines. Additionally, the back three provides stability to defend against long balls while allowing the wide midfielders to push high.

This 3-5-2 lineup is designed to be aggressive and direct in its movement. It is best suited for matches against teams that try to play out from the back and leave space behind their midfield.