Union Berlin Football Formation

Starting Lineup

Josip Juranovic · Carl Klaus · Zeno Van Den Bosch · Stanley Nsoki · Derrick Köhn · Aljoscha Kemlein · Rani Khedira · Livan Burcu · Woo-Yeong Jeong · Emmanuel Latte Lath · Andrej Ilic

Union Berlin aims to dominate through a high press and rapid verticality. The team utilizes a 2-4-4 formation to overwhelm opponents in the final third. This lineup relies on heavy pressure to win the ball high up the pitch and immediate attacking intent once possession is regained.

Carl Klaus guards the goal as the last line of defense. The defensive unit operates with a back two consisting of Stanley Nsoki and Zeno Van Den Bosch. These central defenders must act as covering defenders, stepping up to intercept passes and managing the space behind them. Because there are only two in the back, they must defend zonally and be ready to tackle or block runners quickly. The defensive unit functions by squeezing the space between the defenders and the midfield to prevent easy progress through the middle.

The midfield works in a central block to control the tempo and provide coverage. Aljoscha Kemlein acts as a central midfielder to hold the line and win the second ball. Derrick Köhn plays on the left side of this midfield bank to drive forward with the ball, while Josip Juranovic operates on the right to provide balance. Rani Khedira operates as an attacking ten behind the strikers to connect the lines and find the feet of the forwards. This group focuses on pressing in a mid-block to force a long ball from the opposition.

The attack is built around a powerful front line of four. Emmanuel Latte Lath and Andrej Ilic work as a two forwards partnership, acting as pressing centre forwards to harass the opposition back line. Livan Burcu plays as a wide winger on the left to stretch the defence, while Woo-Yeong Jeong operates as an inverted winger on the right to cut inside and create chances. This front four looks to hit in behind on the transition and use combinations in tight spaces to break the line.

Union Berlin offers significant tactical advantages with this setup. The formation creates wide overloads and numerical superiority in the attacking third. The ability to press high in coordinated waves allows the team to win it back high up the pitch and catch opponents out of position. This creates constant pressure and forces the opposition to defend deep in their own half.

This 2-4-4 formation is built for aggressive, high-intensity football. It is best suited for matches where the team needs to overwhelm a defensive opponent through constant pressure and quick transitions.