1. FC Union Berlin: Tactical Previews 2026/27 Bundesliga

Our tactical previews for the 2026/27 Bundesliga season commence with 1. FC Union Berlin, last season's frontrunners. What's new in the Köpenick quarter of the German capital? Frankly, not much. The "Iron Ones" have a new coach who might be in over his head. Transfer activity has been remarkably quiet this summer. Kicker aptly summarized Union's current ethos with the phrase "eher in Steine als Beine," which loosely translates to "stones before bones," emphasizing their focus on stadium and infrastructure development over player acquisition. This approach represents a significant gamble.

While the transfer window is still open, it's premature to label the team a relegation contender, especially considering the likely weakness of the two promoted sides, which should place Union safely above the drop zone. Nevertheless, a note of caution is warranted. It's as if the scheduling of pre-season friendlies was entrusted to a fan of the "cult club," potentially hindering the new coach's efforts to implement a more dynamic attacking system. In contrast, the sacked Steffen Baumgart at least attempted to move away from the ingrained "Urs Fischer" style.

1. FC Union Berlin

Can the newly appointed Mauro Lustrinelli shake off the lingering torpor at FCU? Not with the current squad, which desperately needs targeted reinforcements. Significant uncertainty surrounds the midfield, amplified by rumors of team leader Rani Khedira's departure. Tactically, Lustrinelli has shown desperation, experimenting with various formations – a wide rhombus, a tighter "castle storm," a rigid spine, and finally a double pivot – without any consistent success.

The pre-season friendlies, however, have highlighted the urgent areas needing attention. Lustrinelli desperately requires wingers and strikers to bolster the attacking options. With midfield personnel still in flux, settling on a system might be secondary. Robert Andrich, a vital player, seemingly isn't a priority for the club's management. Despite re-signing Marvin Friedrich, Union lacks the pull to bring back the disgruntled Leverkusen captain, who could have addressed multiple squad deficiencies.

"Stones instead of legs"? Lustrinelli, despite his past successes with Swiss side FC Thun, may have taken on the job in an ill-timed year. Undertaking a major infrastructure overhaul and transitioning to a more exciting, modern style of football simultaneously is a challenging endeavor. As it stands, Union resembles last season's team: unconvincing in open play, above average on set pieces, and a squad built to grind out results.

Major Personnel Changes at Union Berlin

Estimated Summer Transfer Balance = -€400,000

The season begins with the departures of central defenders Danilho Doekhi and Diogo Leite, who left on free transfers. Zeno van den Bosch has arrived as a solid replacement in central defense, but finding his partner has proven more difficult than anticipated. Midfield options have thinned with the permanent exit of Alex Kral, who provided valuable depth and tactical flexibility last year.

Less significant losses include striker Chris Bedia and midfielder Laszlo Benes, both of whom were on loan last season. On the incoming side, the club exercised a €1.5m option to sign former Hoffenheim defender Stanley Nsoki. The fact that Benes was the only player to generate transfer fees suggests a slight deficit. Marvin Friedrich, who struggled at Gladbach, arrived on a free transfer. In a move reminiscent of their "Champions Lease" year, Union has brought in MLS striker Emmanuel Latte Lath on loan.

Pre-Season Notes for Union Berlin

FCU players reported for pre-season early, playing initial friendlies against amateur Brandenburg teams. These were followed by matches against more established regional clubs like Chemnitzer FC and Carl Zeiss Jena, neither of which yielded positive results. In the first friendly against Chemnitz, Lustrinelli employed his preferred 4-2-2-2 formation, with strikers Andrej Ilic and Marin Ljubicic scoring, but the team conceded an equalizer in the second half.

Three days later, Union suffered a 0-2 away defeat to Jena, with the home side exploiting a porous and uncoordinated defense. Several players, including Oliver Burke, Aljoscha Kemlein, Matheo Raab, and new signing Zeno van den Bosch, committed unforced errors during these early fixtures, regardless of the formation used.

A subsequent trip to Switzerland yielded two more disappointing results. A penalty from Kemlein salvaged a draw against Winterthur, and a Ljubicic penalty was insufficient in a 1-2 loss to FC Aarau. A 4-2-3-1 formation showed slight improvement, but lead striker Ljubicic missed key chances, and aside from Woo-Yeong Jeong, the attack lacked dynamism. The "rigid spine" formation also failed to impress.

The scheduling of Union's pre-season has been questioned, with more friendlies than training sessions. Managing director Horst Heldt has shown restraint in addressing the squad's personnel issues. The "stones instead of legs" philosophy, perhaps a shift from Oliver Ruhnert's previous transfer policy, has resulted in an incomplete roster with significant gaps.

A lack of confidence continued to be evident on the pitch. Dynamo Dresden secured a win against Union on August 1st, extending their winless streak in friendlies to five. Despite an early goal from Tom Rothe in a 4-2-2-2 formation, the team produced a lackluster performance, succumbing to a 1-2 defeat. Woo-Yeong Jeong was again the only player showing creativity in attack.

Jeong and most of the first-choice players started on the bench in the subsequent friendly against Cagliari. Ilyas Ansah scored twice in the final four minutes to secure a 2-2 draw. This weekend's friendly offered slightly better news.

A longer friendly against a Cypriot first-division side was scheduled for more practice. New signing Latte Lath started and scored, while Kemlein and van den Bosch also found the net from set pieces in a 3-2 victory. Lustrinelli experimented with a 4-4-2 double pivot, which showed little in open play.

Standout Performers from Pre-Season at Union Berlin

Woo-Yeong Jeong, ATTM

It remains unclear how the 22-time capped South Korean international fits into the team's plans, but the author urges Lustrinelli to find a way to integrate him. Jeong displayed more consistent effort than any other FCU player during a dismal pre-season. If Lustrinelli opts for a 4-4-2 or 4-2-2-2, Jeong should be a top option on the wings. In a 4-2-3-1, he could excel as an attacking midfielder, and he might even be considered for a double pivot role.

The former Freiburg and Stuttgart attacker finished last season strongly, achieving his best Bundesliga campaign since 2021/22. Jeong's versatility is a significant asset during Lustrinelli's experimental phase. He reads the half-spaces well, particularly from the right flank. His ability to play centrally could also be beneficial, potentially linking up with Livan Burcu and Ilyas Ansah, offering a solution to some of Lustrinelli's attacking challenges.

Livan Burcu, ATTM

The author consistently praises this player. The 21-year-old's pre-season performances have earned him a permanent place in the starting XI. His strong finish to last season's Bundesliga campaign had already secured him a spot, and he entered pre-season with the starting position firmly in his grasp. Burcu possesses explosive potential in the final third, and his strength on the ball and creativity make him arguably the most valuable component of the current attack. His continued development this year will be closely watched.

Aljoscha Kemlein, ATTM

The Germany U21 international, despite a slow start to pre-season, has shown notable improvement. His physical conditioning has also increased, reminiscent of Leon Goretzka's transformation. The 22-year-old, likely to inherit the captain's armband after Christopher Trimmel's retirement, might eventually transition to a No. 8 role. His contributions, including a crucial penalty in pre-season, have been significant.

Oluwaseun Ogbemudia, CB

This 20-year-old defender has shown real skill on both sides of the ball during pre-season, emerging as a promising talent. Physically, he resembles a "Mini Dayot Upamecano." Regardless of whether he stays with Union or goes out on loan, Ogbemudia has a bright future ahead, marked by crunching tackles and decisive clearances.

Carl Klaus, GK

With Frederik Rønnow injured and Matheo Raab seeking more playing time elsewhere, the 32-year-old goalkeeper has a prime opportunity to step up. Reports suggest Rønnow will miss the start of the season, potentially allowing Klaus to claim the starting role. His performances at the end of last season, particularly in his three consecutive starts, were noteworthy, showcasing a strong command of his area.

Disappointments from Pre-Season at Union Berlin

Oliver Burke, LS

The 29-year-old Scotsman's inconsistency remains a persistent issue. His goal contributions have been sporadic, with periods of strong performance interspersed with quiet spells. Burke possesses impressive pace and a physically imposing frame, but he frequently commits basic tactical and positional errors. His touch can be questionable, and he spurns numerous clear-cut chances. Mental lapses seem to plague his game, evident in his erratic crossing. Despite his gifted nature and potential, he has been loaned out numerous times, a pattern that shows no sign of changing.

At times, Burke appears lumbering and makes inexplicable tactical errors. His touch can be frustratingly poor, and he wastes significant scoring opportunities. A lack of footballing intelligence seems to be a recurring theme. His crossing, in particular, is often uncanny. It's possible he'll be loaned out again, a prospect the author has written about extensively.

Marin Ljubicic, CF

Similar to Burke, Ljubicic's future at Union appears uncertain. He has failed to impress in two consecutive summer pre-seasons. While he scored a few goals in non-competitive friendlies and added two more in more serious matches, it hasn't been enough. Most of his glaring misses have been documented. His continued presence might be due to a lack of viable alternatives and the club's reluctance to recoup the €4.5m paid for him. He may receive a "fourth chance," but his performance thus far has been underwhelming.

Andrik Markgraf, LWB

The young player who was a "winner" last year suffered an ACL tear in the first meaningful friendly against Chemnitz, ruling him out for the season. This is unfortunate, as this season presented a prime opportunity for him to establish himself as Derrick Köhn's understudy. Given the potential for young defenders to earn minutes, this injury is a significant setback for the 20-year-old.

The author is unaware of the translation of "Markgraf" but speculates it might mean "High Count."

Tom Rothe, CB

Rothe, a talented youngster who emerged at BVB, has not lived up to expectations at Union. Despite scoring two goals in 21 league appearances last season, he started only ten matches. After losing his starting spot early in the 2025/26 campaign, he did not regain a regular role until the season's end. The fact that he hasn't been considered for either of the two defensive positions he's qualified for this summer, despite not being injured, is perplexing. There was a time when many believed Rothe would become a Bundesliga starter, but this has yet to materialize.

Leopold Querfeld, CB

Querfeld, a gifted center-back who seemed on an upward trajectory, has also fallen out of favor. His spectacular goal against Stuttgart in the 2024/25 season is a distant memory. He emerged as a penalty taker last season, scoring seven goals across all competitions, and was a dominant presence in duels. However, his positional play deteriorated, leading to a benching in two of the last three matchdays. While Nsoki's injury has temporarily reinstated him, he must improve to retain his starting spot. Rothe, or potentially another player, could displace him before the season begins.

Tactical Scout: Union Berlin

This tactical preview is being conducted earlier than in previous years. With the DFB Pokal acting as a "soft opener," there remains one more warm-up fixture and ample training sessions for players to prove themselves, not to mention potential transfers and injuries. The author's deep scout suggests that Lustrinelli has found his best tactical setup with a double midfield pivot. The projected lineup assumes Querfeld will partner van den Bosch in Nsoki's absence and that Latte Lath will seamlessly integrate as a support striker, replacing the intended role of Burke.

Squad captain Christopher Trimmel is expected to rotate with Josip Juranovic. The biggest wildcard remains the potential departure of Rani Khedira. Union's pursuit of another midfielder to play alongside Kemlein strongly indicates Khedira's exit, possibly to allow Kemlein to play further up the pitch.

PROJECTED LINEUP - FCU

On paper, this starting XI is not the worst in the Bundesliga. However, depth remains a significant concern. Even if Khedira stays, the team lacks a true box-to-box midfielder and sufficient backup options in attack. The switch to a back four exacerbates this issue, as the speed of players like Derrick Köhn becomes less relevant without forward momentum from midfield. This also applies to Latte Lath and the less-paced full-backs Juranovic and Trimmel.

Securing two to three quality new signings capable of immediately impacting the first team will be challenging under the "stones instead of legs" directive. Furthermore, meaningful squad strengthening cannot begin until Horst Heldt can reduce the club's wage bill. Finding takers for some of the current players will not be easy. As it stands, Union is not a mid-table Bundesliga squad. The team appears poised for a relegation battle if these personnel issues are not resolved. A poor run of form could lead to a catastrophic season.

GGFN | Peter Weis