Union Berlin Football Formation

Starting Lineup

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

Union Berlin relies on a vertical style that looks to hit the opposition quickly with a 2-4-4 formation. This lineup is built to play with high intensity and directness, looking to catch the opponent out of position through rapid transitions. By keeping a high volume of players in the final third, the team aims to overwhelm the defensive line as soon as the ball is won.

Carl Klaus guards the net as the last line of defense. The defensive unit operates with a narrow back two consisting of Leopold Querfeld and Zeno Van den Bosch. These two central defenders must stay compact to cover the massive space behind them, often playing in a high line to squeeze the pitch. They need to be dominant in the air and quick to step up to catch runners, as the lack of full backs means they are frequently exposed in wide areas.

The midfield functions as a central block designed to control the center of the pitch. Aljoscha Kemlein works to connect the defense and attack, often dropping deep to help the center backs. Rani Khedira plays as an attacking ten behind the forwards, looking to find pockets of space and play through the lines. Derrick Köhn and Josip Juranovic act as the wider components of this four man unit, tasked with covering the flanks and driving forward with the ball to provide width when the attackers move inside.

In the attacking phase, the team uses a heavy front line with four players. Emmanuel Latte Lath and Andrej Ilic operate as a partnership in the center, where they can use their strength to hold up the ball or run in behind. Livan Burcu and Woo-Yeong Jeong occupy the wide areas as wingers. Livan Burcu looks to cut inside to create overloads, while Woo-Yeong Jeong stretches the defense by staying wide. This front four is designed to press the opposition back line aggressively to force mistakes.

One major advantage for Union Berlin is the ability to create numerical superiority in the attacking third during quick breaks. The heavy presence of four attackers allows the team to pin the last defender and create chaos in the box. Another strength lies in the speed of transition, as the midfield unit of Köhn, Juranovic, Kemlein, and Khedira can quickly move the ball from a defensive position to the forwards.

This aggressive 2-4-4 formation is built for high pressing and rapid counter attacking. It is best suited for games where the team needs to punish an opponent that plays a high line or leaves space behind their midfield.