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

This season, Get German Football News' tactical previews for the 2026/27 Bundesliga commence with the team that topped the standings last year: 1. FC Union Berlin. In the Köpenick district of the German capital, changes have been minimal. The "Iron Ones" have a new coach, Mauro Lustrinelli, who might be out of his depth. The transfer market has been unusually quiet this summer. As Kicker aptly summarized Union's current ethos, it's "stones before bones" – prioritizing stadium and infrastructure development over immediate squad reinforcement. This approach represents a significant gamble.

With the transfer window still open, it's premature to label Union a relegation candidate. Furthermore, the perceived weakness of the two promoted Bundesliga sides likely places them above the drop zone. However, a cautious alarm is being sounded. It seems the scheduling of pre-season friendlies was not conducive to a new coach attempting to implement a more attacking, up-tempo system. While sacked coach Steffen Baumgart faced criticism, he was at least actively trying to move the squad away from the legacy of Urs Fischer's style.

1. FC Union Berlin

Can the newly appointed Mauro Lustrinelli overcome the lingering inertia at Union Berlin? The current squad suggests otherwise. The roster is in dire need of targeted reinforcements, especially with uncertainty surrounding the midfield, amplified by rumors of team leader Rani Khedira's potential departure. Tactically, Lustrinelli has experimented with various formations – a wide rhombus, a tighter "castle storm" approach, a rigid spine, and finally, a double pivot – in an attempt to circumvent midfield issues. This suggests desperation, with no clear tactical identity yet established.

The pre-season friendlies, however, have clearly highlighted the team's deficiencies. Lustrinelli urgently needs wingers and strikers to improve the attacking structure. Given the midfield uncertainty, solidifying a midfield system should be a priority. Robert Andrich's situation is puzzling; despite the return of Marvin Friedrich, the club seemingly lacks the pull to reacquire the disaffected Leverkusen captain, who could address multiple personnel issues simultaneously.

Is the "stones before bones" mantra the right approach? Lustrinelli, despite his past successes with FC Thun, may have taken on the job in a challenging year. Undertaking a major infrastructure overhaul and transitioning to more dynamic, modern football concurrently is a monumental task. As it stands, Union appears to be the same team as last season: struggling in open play, strong on set pieces, and built to grind out results.

Major Personnel Shifts at Union Berlin

Estimated Summer Transfer Balance: -€400,000

The season begins with the departure of center-backs Danilho Doekhi and Diogo Leite, both leaving on free transfers. Zeno van den Bosch has arrived as a solid replacement in central defense, but finding his partner has proven more challenging than anticipated. Midfield options have thinned with the permanent exit of Alex Kral, who made 20 appearances last year, providing valuable depth and tactical flexibility off the bench.

Less impactful losses include striker Chris Bedia and midfielder Laszlo Benes, both of whom were on loan last season. On the incoming side, the club exercised the €1.5 million purchase option on former Hoffenheim defender Stanley Nsoki. With Benes being the only player to fetch a transfer fee (that can be confirmed), Union operates with a slight transfer deficit. Marvin Friedrich has returned on a free transfer. In a move reminiscent of previous loan strategies, Union has secured MLS striker Emmanuel Latte Lath on loan.

Pre-Season Notes for Union Berlin

Union Berlin's squad reported for camp early, participating in initial friendlies against amateur Brandenburg teams, Optik Rathenow and Grün-Weiß Lübben. These were followed by matches against more established "Eastern clubs" like Chemnitzer FC and Carl Zeiss Jena. Neither fixture yielded positive results. Lustrinelli deployed his preferred 4-2-2-2 formation in the first half against Chemnitz, with strikers Andrej Ilic and Marin Ljubicic scoring a goal. However, the team conceded an equalizer in the second half.

Three days later, Union suffered a 0-2 away defeat against Jena. The home side exploited a porous and uncoordinated defense. Notable players committing errors in these early friendlies included Oliver Burke, Aljoscha Kemlein, Matheo Raab, and new signing Zeno van den Bosch. The 4-2-2-2 formation, whether in a wider rhombus or a tighter "castle storm" variant, proved ineffective.

A trip to Switzerland resulted in two more disappointing performances. A penalty from Kemlein salvaged a draw against Winterthur, and a Ljubicic penalty was not enough in a 1-2 loss against FC Aarau. A 4-2-3-1 formation showed some improvement, but striker Ljubicic missed key chances, and beyond Woo-Yeong Jeong, the attack lacked cohesion. The "rigid spine" formation also failed to impress.

The scheduling of Union's pre-season has been questioned, with Lustrinelli himself noting an imbalance between friendlies and training sessions. Managing director Horst Heldt has been cautious with personnel acquisitions. The "stones before bones" directive, which might be a new philosophy under Heldt, contrasts with previous transfer windows. A seemingly incomplete roster has left the squad exposed.

A lack of confidence was evident upon the team's return to the pitch. Dynamo Dresden ensured Union failed to win in five consecutive friendlies, securing a 1-2 victory on August 1st. In a return to the 4-2-2-2, Union started reasonably well but ultimately delivered a lackluster performance. Despite an early opener from Tom Rothe, Dynamo's two goals sealed another defeat. Woo-Yeong Jeong was once again the standout attacking player.

Jeong and most of the first-choice players were on the bench for the subsequent match against Cagliari. Ilyas Ansah scored twice in the final four minutes to secure a 2-2 draw. More positive news emerged from a 135-minute friendly against a Cypriot first-division side, where new signing Latte Lath scored, and Kemlein and van den Bosch added goals from set pieces in a 3-2 win. Lustrinelli experimented with a 4-4-2 double pivot, which offered little from open play.

Winners from Camp, Union Berlin

Woo-Yeong Jeong, ATTM

It's challenging to determine Jeong's exact role in the team's puzzle, but the author urges Lustrinelli to find a way to integrate him. Jeong displayed more consistent effort than any other FCU player during the difficult pre-season. If Lustrinelli opts for a 4-4-2 or 4-2-2-2, Jeong should be the primary option on the wings. In a 4-2-3-1, he could excel as an attacking midfielder. Even a role in the double pivot midfield is conceivable.

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

Livan Burcu, ATTM

The author consistently praises Burcu, and his pre-season performances warrant a starting XI spot. His strong finish to last season already earned him a place in the team, and he entered this camp as the favorite for his position. Burcu possesses explosive potential in the final third, with his ball-carrying ability and creativity making him a key component of the attack. His development this year will be closely watched.

Aljoscha Kemlein, ATTM

Despite a shaky start to pre-season, the Germany U21 international has found his form, combining his notable pace with improved physical strength after an offseason of weight training. At 22 years old, and likely to inherit the captaincy from Christopher Trimmel in the future, Kemlein might eventually transition to a No. 8 role. He is demonstrating the physical attributes comparable to Leon Goretzka's transformation.

Oluwaseun Ogbemudia, CB

Keep an eye on this name. The 20-year-old showcased significant skill on both sides of the ball during camp, earning a spotlight. Physically, he resembles a "Mini Dayot Upamecano." Whether he stays with the first team or goes on loan for development, Ogbemudia has a bright future ahead, marked by crunching tackles and crucial clearances.

Carl Klaus, GK

With Frederik Rønnow sidelined by injury and Matheo Raab potentially seeking new opportunities, the 32-year-old "rookie" has another chance to secure minutes in goal. Reports suggest Rønnow will miss the start of the competitive season, giving the veteran journeyman backup the opportunity to establish himself as the regular starter. Klaus's performances in his three consecutive starts at the end of last season were noteworthy, showcasing his strong goalkeeping abilities.

Losers from Camp, Union Berlin

Oliver Burke, LS

The Scotsman's career trajectory remains perplexing. Burke's goal contributions have been sporadic, with flashes of brilliance interspersed with periods of inconsistency. Despite possessing tremendous pace and a physically imposing frame, he often suffers from inexplicable tactical and positional errors. His touch can be unreliable, and he spurns numerous clear-cut chances. Burke's game is plagued by lapses in concentration, particularly evident in his erratic crossing. It's a frustrating cycle for a player who appears to be the "prototypical footballer" but struggles to translate his potential into consistent performance. This ongoing pattern has led to numerous loan spells.

At times, Burke appears lumbering and commits basic tactical errors. His touch can be criminal, and he squanders clear-cut opportunities. Mental lapses seem to define his game. His crossing, in particular, is often uncanny. Perhaps another loan spell is in his future, as the author feels he has written about him extensively over the years.

Marin Ljubicic, CF

Similar to players likely headed out on loan, Ljubicic might also be packing his bags. This marks his second consecutive summer camp where he has failed to demonstrate his value to the club. While he scored a few goals in non-competitive friendlies and added two more in more serious fixtures, it was still insufficient. His significant misses have been well-documented. The only factor potentially keeping him at Union might be the priority given to moving on other players (Robert Skov, Janik Haberer, Tim Skarke, and promising youth prospects). Furthermore, if Union remains firm on recouping part of the €4.5 million paid for him in the winter 2025 transfer window, finding a buyer could be difficult. It's possible Ljubicic could receive yet another "fourth chance."

Andrik Markgraf, LWB

The young player who was a "winner" last year suffered an ACL tear in the first meaningful friendly against Chemnitz. The 20-year-old will likely miss his Bundesliga debut this season. This is unfortunate, as this season presented an ideal opportunity to establish himself as a backup to Derrick Köhn. Defensive prospects have genuine opportunities for minutes this season, making this injury a significant setback for Markgraf.

The author does not know the English translation of "Markgraf," but speculates it might mean "High Count."

Tom Rothe, CB

Rothe's inclusion here does not suggest a significant decline in performance. The talented youngster, who emerged in Marco Rose's BVB squad, scored two goals in 21 league appearances last season. However, he only started ten of those matches. After losing his starting spot early in the 2025/26 campaign, Rothe did not return to a regular starting role until the season's end. It is surmised that his lack of consideration for either of the two defensive positions he can play this summer indicates an issue, though he is not reported to be injured. Something is keeping him out of contention for both the center-back and left-back positions. There was a time when many believed Rothe would become a consistent Bundesliga starter, but this has not yet materialized.

Leopold Querfeld, CB

To address players not receiving consideration for available spots, Querfeld's situation is puzzling. His memorable goal against Stuttgart in the 4-4 draw on matchday 30 of the 2024/25 campaign comes to mind, along with his emergence as an immensely gifted center-back on an upward trajectory. Querfeld was a penalty taker last season and scored seven more goals across all competitions. He was also dominant in duels, both on the ground and in the air.

However, his positional play deteriorated late last year, leading to him being benched for two of the last three matchdays. This slump is significant. While Nsoki's injury has temporarily placed Querfeld back in the starting lineup, he must work harder to retain his position. Someone, potentially Tom Rothe, could replace him before the season begins.

Tactical Scout, Union Berlin

Before projecting the season's first lineup, it's important to note that this analysis was conducted earlier than usual. The DFB Pokal is treated as a "soft opener," leaving one more warm-up fixture and ample training sessions for players to prove themselves. Furthermore, injuries and transfers can still occur before the season's start.

Based on the deep scout of Union, Lustrinelli appears to have found his best tactical setup with a double midfield pivot. The projected lineup below makes several assumptions: Querfeld will partner van den Bosch in Nsoki's absence, and Latte Lath will immediately fill the support striker role intended for Burke. Christopher Trimmel is expected to rotate with Josip Juranovic approximately every other match. The most significant factor that could disrupt this projection is the potential departure of Rani Khedira. Union's pursuit of another midfielder for Kemlein's position suggests Khedira's departure is imminent, and Kemlein is likely to be played further up the field.

Lineup-FCU (PROJECTED)

On paper, this is not the weakest XI in the Bundesliga. However, depth remains a 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 in midfield. This also applies to Latte Lath. Juranovic and Trimmel offer limited pace.

Acquiring two to three quality signings capable of immediate first-team impact will be challenging under the "stones before bones" directive. Meaningful squad reinforcements cannot begin until Horst Heldt reduces the payroll by offloading some of the current players. Finding takers for some of these players will not be easy. As it stands, Union is not shaping up to be a mid-table Bundesliga squad. This team appears destined for a relegation battle if the personnel issues are not resolved. A poor run of form could snowball into a catastrophic scenario.