Union Berlin bouncing under Bo Svensson: How have they found their groove again?
After last season's rollercoaster ride and surviving relegation at the very end, Union Berlin seem to have found their rhythm again under new boss Bo Svensson, who has led the club to an unbeaten start. So how has all this happened?
Heading into Matchday 8, Union Berlin have lost just once in the Bundesliga in 2024/25. Sitting fifth in the table, the Irons have occupied European spots in the table before. However, after the way last season ended for them, this is a welcome return to form for the capital club.
Their top-flight survival assured last term, the swift appointment of Svensson in May gave the Dane time to get his feet under the desk, assess the situation, and hit the ground running. After a memorable spell at Mainz, joining the red side of Berlin has, so far, felt like the perfect marriage for him.
As ever in Union's case, the summer transfer window was busy with Germany international Robin Gosens leaving for Fiorentina on deadline day. Replacing him with great aplomb so far has been the precocious young Tom Rothe, the arrival from Borussia Dortmund making an early splash with two goals and an assist so far.
That, coupled with the likes of emerging players such as Aljoscha Kemlein and a few other smart acquisitions, have brought the feelgood factor back to the Stadion an der Alten Försterei.
So, how has the club whose stadium name references the nearby forester's cottage started pulling up trees again?
Watch: Union Berlin strike early to see off Hoffenheim
Building on solid foundations
Since their historic promotion to the Bundesliga in 2019, Union have become renowned for their highly effective counter-attacking approach while also being incredibly difficult to break down. This is Urs Fischer's legacy, one which saw the Swiss tactician guide the club into the top flight and on to UEFA Champions League football.
Though it may seem new boss Svensson has retained the same structure, there are already noticeable differences in the way that Union approach games. Especially, out of possession, the former Mainz boss has introduced many of the pressing elements that made his former teams so difficult to play against, whilst retaining Union's efficiency in the opposition final third.
Take this season's start for example: in seven games, Union have scored eight and conceded just four. This is the second best defensive record in the league after RB Leipzig. Against Hoffenheim on Matchday 4, they fired fast and early with two goals in the first 10 minutes and then remained resolute for the win. "We were aggressive and active," said Svensson to explain the reason for his side's success.
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With the platform provided by a back three of Diogo Leite, Danilo Doekhi and Kevin Vogt that Svensson has kept faith with in each game so far, he has given his side an unpredictable edge further forward. Midfielder Rani Khedira and forward Benedict Hollerbach are the only other outfield players to start all seven league games so far, while of the eight league goals, seven have come from a different source. Svensson's attacking options will be even greater when summer arrivals Andrej Ilić and Ivan Prtajin are right up to speed.
There has even been rotation in the dug-out, with Svensson missing the Matchday 3 draw in Leipzig through illness and being replaced by Babak Keyhanfar. The battling performance at the Red Bull Arena against Leipzig, however, bore the hallmarks of what Svensson wanted to see from his players whether he is on the sidelines, his sofa or his sickbed. After a slip-up against Borussia Mönchengladbach, the Union players duly delivered, winning successive games against Borussia Dortmund and Holstein Kiel to supercharge their impressive early season.
Watch: Union stun Borussia Dortmund on home soil
"Intensity," was Svensson's reply when asked what his team must always show on the pitch. "You have to be able to see that we want to achieve something and are putting the effort in. The collective idea must be - and the fans must get the feeling that - we are more than just a collection of individual players and a coach. We have to work constantly and improve otherwise we won't manage to keep Union in the Bundesliga long-term."
Former Mainz boss and fellow Dane, Kasper Hjulmand, revealed Svensson's own intensity when he said his then-player would text him regarding tactics in games he was watching on TV. The revently installed Union boss has clearly transmitted that passion to his players, who have covered the fourth-most kilometres in the division. They are also third, just behind Bayern Munich, in the intensive runs category.
Svensson has also given belief back to Union's fans, who saw just seven wins in the league last season and eight defeats from 17 home matches.
"We had a clear matchplan and we really put it into action very well on the pitch," explained Hollerbach after seeing the strong start against Hoffenheim give Union their second home win earlier this season. "And it's often the case that teams coming here are a little bit nervous, simply because of the passion of the fans and stadium. We took full advantage of that."
Those same supporters then helped the Berliners to extendt their impressive home record against Dortmund and with upcoming fixtures against Eintracht Frankfurt at home and Bayern away edging ever closer, a clearer indication of whether Svensson's men have the staying power required at the top end of the table will become clearer. Wherever Die Eisernen end up this season, however, you can be assured they will have done it Bo's way.
"My main motivation is not trophies, but the work and the feeling that I can change and develop things," he explained. "What we do here must have a meaning. It's not important if I do everything right, but it always has to be authentic. In the end, I can't really change what the fans, the president or anyone else thinks of me. But I can stay true to myself, and that will also be the case here at Union."
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