Trainer Steffen Baumgart (left) hopes for the offensive qualities of newcomer Oliver Burke.
Photo: Imago/Matthias Koch
“The round has to go to the square.” If it were as easy as Steffen Baumgart came over the lips, then you could look forward to a relaxing season in the Bundesliga at the 1. FC Union. The Berliner of the Berliner made a rather tense impression when he spoke about the opening game on Saturday in the old forestry against VfB Stuttgart. This is mainly due to the fact that he had to try the well-known football wisdom about scoring in preparation for the new season-to explain what is difficult for his team.
What looks like football
No matter how they fall, goals are always “good for self -confidence”, Christopher Trimmel explained after a successful dress rehearsal. After four 0-1 test defeats, Union won 5-0 in the first round of the DFB Cup at the fourth division club Gütersloh. This victory could not spread much hope in Köpenick. Sober, almost tortured, the analysis of Captain Trimmel’s cup game ultimately sounded: “We have implemented a lot of content very well.” Baumgart tried to describe the expectations for the game against Stuttgart with a mix of understatement and humor. He hoped for one or the other scene that looks like football.
The words heard and the footballing acts seen so far suggest that it will continue for the Berliners exactly where they have spent the past two years – in relegation battle. The figures for this: Union provided the most third -party offensive with 33 and 35 goals. The rescue was achieved both times, in the previous season with Baumgart as a trainer. He was enough for him in 19 games in which the Berliners scored 22 goals. Benedict Hollerbach had scored six of his nine goals in a total of nine season hits during this time. Now Union’s best scorer of the pre -season is playing at FSV Mainz. So far there has been no sufficient answer to the question of how to replace it.
Offensive options
Three, two or just one striker – Baumgart listed several tactical options on the offensive that could bring success. Center striker Andrej Illic, who achieved all of his seven goals in the second half of the season last season, has currently been set and thus contributed significantly to relegation. Hollerbach’s speed is now to bring newcomers Oliver Burke to the square. In the last test against Olympiacos Piraeus, the fast Scotsman liked more as a liaison between the ranks, was a ball -proof playing station and a clever passer. In Gütersloh, newcomer Ilyas showed an offensive triangle with Illic and Burke, in which no one could really shine.
The offensive weakness explains Union coach by “the strikers have to defend a lot with us”. Maybe Baumgart also got these words a little too easily over his lips. He should know that this cannot be a concept. After all, the defensive seems to have found the necessary stability again with the new and always better defense chief Leopold crossing. And if Tom Rothe has got used to his new position as a left -back central defender, the defense could become the rock again in the relegation battle. Measured by the goals, the Berliners were in the midfield of the Bundesliga in the past two seasons.
Strong standards
A first intensive stress test promises to become the duel with VfB Stuttgart. As a viewer in the 1-2 in the Supercup against FC Bayern Munich, Baumgart saw nothing new, but “one of the best teams we have in Germany”. And if the Berlin defensive should withstand the offensive Swabian, then a rediscovered quality may help. “The standard strength is positive,” emphasized Trimmel after the cup game with a free kick goal and two goals after corner balls – and praised himself as a double template.