Union Berlin Football Formation

Starting Lineup

MATHEO (RAAB) · STANLEY (NSOKI) · FELIX (UDUOKHAI) · CHRISTOPHER (TRIMMEL) · ANDRIK (MÁRKGRAF) · ALJOSCHA (KEMLEIN) · ANDRÁS (SCHÄFER) · JANIK (HABERER) · OLIVER (BURKE) · ROBERT (SKOV) · ANDREJ (ILIC)

Union Berlin focuses on a high press and rapid transitions when playing a 4-3-3. The team aims to win the ball back high up the pitch to catch the opposition out of position. This formation is built to play a direct game that exploits the space behind the defense.

MATHEO stays between the posts to organize the back line. Union Berlin operates with a flat back four where CHRISTOPHER acts as an attacking full back to provide width on the right. ANDRIK plays as the left back to cover the flank and can overlap when the play shifts. In the center, STANLEY and FELIX form the defensive core. STANLEY acts as a ball playing defender to help play out from the back, while FELIX provides cover and is dominant in the air during defensive transitions. The unit holds a high line to squeeze the space between the lines.

The midfield functions as a three-man midfield with a carrier and a creative spark. ALJOSCHA and ANDRÁS occupy the central roles to control the tempo and press in a mid-block. ALJOSCHA works to win the second ball and protects the central zone. ANDRÁS connects the defense and attack by carrying the ball forward into the half spaces. JANIK plays as an attacking ten behind the striker to find pockets of space. JANIK looks to arrive late into the box to score. This group works to disrupt the opponent and progress through the thirds quickly.

Union Berlin uses three attackers across the front to stretch the defense. ANDREJ plays as a pressing centre-forward to pin the last defender and fight for long balls. On the flanks, OLIVER and ROBERT act as inverted wingers who cut inside to create central overloads. OLIVER looks to isolate his marker in one on one situations on the right. ROBERT moves into the half spaces to link up with the midfield. The front three press from the front to force a long ball from the opposition. This movement allows for quick cutbacks from the byline when the wingers get deep.

The lineup offers a significant advantage through its ability to press high in coordinated waves. By pushing the midfield and front three up together, Union Berlin can trigger a press that forces turnovers in dangerous areas. The team also benefits from wide overloads when CHRISTOPHER and ANDRIK push up to support the wingers. This creates numerical superiority in the attacking third and makes it difficult for opponents to defend the flanks.

This 4-3-3 formation relies on intense pressing and verticality to dominate matches. It is best suited for games against teams that struggle to play out from the back under pressure.