Union Berlin Football Formation

Starting Lineup

Andrej Ilic · Oliver Burke · Janik Haberer · Rani Khedira · Robert Skov · Christopher Trimmel · Danilho Doekhi · Frederik Rønnow · Leopold Querfeld · Andras Schäfer · Tom Rothe

Union Berlin focuses on a direct and physical way of playing, utilizing a 3-5-2 formation. This lineup is built to be defensively solid while looking to catch opponents on the break through vertical movements. The team relies on a compact organization to deny space in the middle and uses the width of the pitch to stretch the opposition.

Frederik Rønnow guards the goal, acting as the final line of defense. The back three consists of Leopold Querfeld, Danilho Doekhi, and Tom Rothe. Doekhi and Querfeld act as strong central defenders who are dominant in the air and ready to win the second ball. Tom Rothe plays as the left centre-back to provide cover and help play out from the back. This defensive unit stays narrow to prevent central penetration and holds a disciplined line to keep the team compact.

The midfield engine runs through a central trio and two wider players. Rani Khedira sits in the center to shield the defense and win possession in the middle of the pitch. Christopher Trimmel and Robert Skov operate as wide midfielders who provide depth. Trimmel tracks back to help the defense while Skov looks to push up and deliver crosses. Andras Schäfer and Janik Haberer operate in the half spaces, acting as carriers who drive forward with the ball to connect the midfield to the attack.

In the final third, Union Berlin uses two forwards to lead the line. Oliver Burke and Andrej Ilic operate as a partnership, with Burke using his pace to make runs in behind the defense. Ilic acts to hold up the ball and link up play with the incoming midfielders. The attackers press the opposition back line to force long balls and win the ball high up the pitch. The movement is designed to create wide overloads when the midfielders push forward and provide cutbacks for late runners.

This formation offers significant tactical advantages, particularly in the ability to press in a mid-block and squeeze the space between the lines. By using five players in the middle, Union Berlin creates numerical superiority in the central zone to disrupt the opponent's rhythm. The team also benefits from the speed of transition when Burke and Ilic exploit space behind the defensive line.

Union Berlin uses this 3-5-2 to remain hard to beat and strike with efficiency. This formation is best suited for facing teams that dominate possession but leave gaps behind their defensive line.