Frederik Rønnow on Union Berlin's resurgence and what it's like to work under Bo Svensson
With Union Berlin rediscovering the form that saw them challenge for the European spots for several seasons in a row, bundesliga.com sat down with goalkeeper Frederik Rønnow to discuss Bo Svensson, the Union supporters and much more...
bundesliga.com: Last weekend's defeat to Bayern Munich may not have been the result you wanted, but it marked your 100th Bundesliga game. That's quite a milestone, right?
Frederik Rønnow: "Yes, of course. I'm really happy about it. I had a difficult start here in Germany, and it has taken me a good few years to reach this milestone. I always believed in myself, and I'm proud of overcoming those early obstacles so that I can sit here today with 100 Bundesliga games under my belt. I'm proud of this, but I also want more."
bundesliga.com: For the second year in a row, Union fans voted you their Player of the Year. That must be special, especially coming from the supporters?
Rønnow: "Yes, absolutely. That means the most. I feel the love here, and I'm grateful for all the support we get as a team and on a personal level. It's a big reason why I love being here, and being selected as Player of the Year twice in a row makes me proud; it humbles me. It drives me to work harder every day to be the best version of myself. That's the most important thing to me."
bundesliga.com: Despite the Bayern result, Union are flying right now, and Bo Svensson and his coaching team have clearly added fresh impetus. What would you say he brings from both a tactical perspective and on a more personal level?
Rønnow: "I was surprised when I spoke with him before he joined. He is close to the players and isn't afraid to make a joke once in a while. In my experience here in Germany, there's often a distance between coaches and players. My impression of Bo is that he's the boss with clear demands, but off the pitch, he likes to smile and be open with the players. Of course, it's also nice to speak Danish with him sometimes."
bundesliga.com: The 2-1 home victory against Borussia Dortmund was particularly eye-catching - you made some great saves. On the whole, though, many said it reminded them of Union's previously successful high-energy pressing style. Would you agree?
Rønnow: "Yes, it looks really good. Obviously, playing at home, with the support of the crowd and the fans gives us extra energy. I looked forward to this season, especially after last year's challenges, which were tough for the players, fans, and everyone around the club. I wanted to see how we were going to react. I'm really happy, and also proud that we managed to turn it around. I know the season is still young, but the way we play and carry ourselves on the pitch reflects the club's DNA. That's what Union is known for, at least in my time here, and I'm really happy about this, but also aware that we have to stay on this path."
bundesliga.com: Last season didn't go as planned for the club, fans, players or staff. Is there an explanation, or was it inevitable that after several successful seasons, the club would eventually hit a rough patch?
Rønnow: "It's difficult to explain. For many years, it felt like the club was moving in only one way. We reached the Champions League and we felt the club was going in the right direction. However, I felt the pressure and saw it in the team. We went 14 or 15 games without a win. When the season ended, I reflected on what happened and how I reacted during certain phases of the season. I was reminded to enjoy the game despite the pressure and bad feelings. Sometimes you have a year where everything is just going the wrong way. It's really tough to explain because I was also part of the squad that qualified for the Champions League the year before – the happy feeling from that moment, compared to the feeling after the Freiburg game [Union won 2-1 on the final day of the 2023/24 season to avoid relegation], are two completely different things. There was such a relief at the end of last season, and I’ll try to take this with me going forward."
bundesliga.com: This season, apart from the Bayern match, you've played behind the same back three in each Bundesliga game. Does that continuity help your confidence, knowing it's the same trio each time?
Rønnow: "Yes, absolutely. We've played many games together, which creates a sense of stability, but I also really believe in the other players in that position, which is also important for me. When someone like Leopold Querfeld steps in, it's important for me to support and guide him, and to help him enjoy it as well. I think he had a good game against Bayern, who are always difficult to face. Football is about relationships on the pitch, and understanding each other's strengths and weaknesses. Right now, we have a good balance, and everyone trusts each other, even those who don't play as often."
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bundesliga.com: We often ask Union players about the fans because of the unique connection between the club and its supporters. You have a distinct perspective since you spend half the match with the fans right behind you. What's it like to have that wall of noise so close?
Rønnow: "Obviously, it's nice. You feel safe; you feel like they've got your back, but you're also aware that they bring energy. Besides last season, our home form has been strong. A lot of this is down to the fans. Even last year, after what we went through, we still felt the support during the whole year, despite the many games that we lost. I feel confident that the support is why we made it at the end. There's no question that Union fans have a massive impact on the team and the club as a whole."
bundesliga.com: This is your fourth season with Union. What would you say has changed the most at the club during that time, and what has stayed the same?
Rønnow: "It's difficult to say just one thing, but the club has definitely been on a upward trajectory. The players are on another level now; it is a bit more international compared to when I joined, when we had mostly German players. I don't know if that means anything, or it's just a coincidence. You also feel it's really important for this club to be authentic, and even when we play in the Champions League or Europa League, the club stays true to its roots. It's a small thing, but I feel like this is what makes the club unique."
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