Union Berlin's Recently Appointed Coach Emphasizes Direct Tactics Over 50 Touch Philosophy
The new Union Berlin coach, Nenad Bjelica, is making waves in the Bundesliga with his unique footballing approach. At his presentation, the 52-year-old Croatian expressed his disdain for playing styles that focus on 50 touches of the ball, instead favoring a more direct route to the goal.
Bjelica's coaching experience includes stints in the top divisions of Austria, Poland, Croatia, and Turkey. He notably played in the Champions League with Austria Vienna and Dinamo Zagreb. The new Union coach explains his philosophy as one that values tempo and intensity, aiming to create unpleasant oppositional encounters and ultimately aim for domination.
Facing a 15-game winless streak, Bjelica's task is to revitalize the struggling team. His entrance into a relegation battle isn't a novel challenge for the experienced coach. Bjelica exudes confidence in his abilities, mentioning his strong self-belief and promising "maximum commitment."
In a clash against Celtic, Union Berlin exemplified Bjelica's philosophies by adopting a cautious defensive strategy in the first half, allowing few shots, and later turning the tide with a goal during a more aggressive and proactive approach. This tactic of transitioning between defense and offense quickly is a hallmark of counter-attacking styles, which seems to be part of Bjelica's preferred approach.
Though sources do not detail the technicalities of Bjelica's playstyle, it is clear that he values speed, energy, and decisiveness on his team's behalf. Unlike teams that focus on 50 touches of the ball, which tends to favor methods like Barcelona's possession-based strategies, Bjelica's team relishes the thrill of dismantling the opposition with haste and precision.
In essence, the specifics of Bjelica's playstyle and philosophy are not yet defined, but it is evident that the Croatian coach looks to create exciting, direct football with an emphasis on agility, intensity, and a fast transition from defense to offense, a stark contrast to the more slow-paced, possession-based styles centered around 50 touches of the ball.
