In their first game following Urs Fischer's departure, Union Berlin's interim coaching duo of Marco Grote and Marie-Louise Eta plans to employ a resilient defensive setup. Central defenders Paul Jaeckel, Robin Knoche, and Diogo Leite are set to feature, alongside captain Chris Trimmel and internationally recognized Robin Gosens, fresh off fatherhood duty. Andras Schäfer returns to the squad after a prolonged injury absence.
Meanwhile, FC Augsburg, led by coach Jess Thorup, introduces Arne Engels and Iago into the lineup for their Bundesliga clash against Union Berlin.
Post-Fischer, Union Berlin's defensive unit, headlined by Trimmel and Gosens, has been robust but not particularly effective in goal prevention, as suggested by their conceded tally of 24 in 21 matches under new head coach Steffen Baumgart. Although their defense remains relatively solid, it's not quite spectacular, given their league position.
Additionally, Union Berlin has been struggling offensively, too, scoring a meager 13 goals during the same period. This attacking deficiency has dramatically impacted their overall performance and position in the standings.
Under Baumgart, Union Berlin has tinkered with formations, including a potential switch to a back four, featuring Trimmel, Danilho Doekhi, Diogo Leite, and Jérôme Roussillon. This tactical shift aims to bolster defensive solidity but has yet to result in any significant wins or improvements in goal difference.
Robin Gosens' and Chris Trimmel's individual performances have been steady under Baumgart, but their efforts have not led to significant successes. Gosens continues to contribute to the defense and Trimmel remains a consistent presence, although the team's inability to find the back of the net remains an issue.
The transition from Fischer to Baumgart has not yielded significant improvements for Union Berlin. The team's troubles with both defense and offense persist. While the defense stays relatively solid, it hasn't been sufficient to offset Union Berlin's lacking attacking finesse.
In essence, while Gosens and Trimmel have maintained strong performances in Union Berlin's defense, their efforts haven't been enough to transform the team's fortunes since Fischer's departure. The team's general offensive struggles, both defensively and offensively, remain a challenge under Baumgart's tenure.
