Union's interim coach initially only plans until Augsburg game

Union's Interim Coach Offers No Blueprint Beyond Augsburg Game

New Union Berlin interim coach Marco Grote isn't looking past their upcoming Bundesliga match against FC Augsburg. "I'm only focused until Augsburg, honestly speaking. I don't have any further plans, I'm not itching for it either," said the 51-year-old at his first press conference following the departure of Urs Fischer. Club president Dirk Zingler had announced that the search for a permanent coach would be a thoughtful process and not done under pressure.

Together with assistant Marie-Louise Eta, Grote is readying Union, currently in a 14-game winless streak, for their home game against Augsburg on Saturday (3:30 p.m./Sky).

Grote emphasizes the need to strengthen the players' mental resilience. "Now it's about getting to know the emotional dynamics of the players. It's about reminding them of their qualities. They'll want to, they'll be fired up," the newly-appointed coach said. He acknowledged the sadness surrounding former coach Fischer's departure but insisted that "we're no longer in the past, we're in the future."

Before his promotion as interim coach in the Bundesliga, Grote had been managing Union's U19 team. "Bear in mind, my role doesn't significantly change. It's still football, the same game at both levels. Yes, it's faster, it's more intense, more physical, and the surroundings are different," he added.

Union Berlin's list of absentees for the Augsburg game includes Rani Khedira, who is suspended, while Leonardo Bonucci and Sheraldo Becker are nursing injuries.

Grote keeps his sights dead center on preparing the team for their Bundesliga encounter with FC Augsburg, acknowledging the differences between the youth and senior squad behaviors but maintaining that "it's still soccer, just played on a bigger stage."

Overcoming Challenges

1. Defense: Union Berlin has faced defensive issues this season, letting in several easy goals. The interim coach may work on solidifying the defense to avoid making mistakes that cost them points.
2. Counter-Attacking: Union's quick transitions have showed unpredictable moments of brilliance in the past, particularly from players like Benedikt Hollerbach and Robert Skov. Grote may encourage his players to exploit any defensive lapses to catch FC Augsburg off-guard.
3. Set Pieces: Union Berlin has missed some near-post goals in recent games, indicating that there may be room for improvement in executing set-piece plays. Grote might focus on perfecting their success rate from these situations.
4. Player Rotation: This tactic was employed by former coach Steffen Baumgart to prevent burnout in his players. Grote may continue this strategy to keep players energized and focused during the campaign.
5. Mental Strengthening: Players and fans have endured a grueling winless streak. Morale may be low, so Grote and his staff might use motivational tactics to bolster their confidence and positive mindset heading into the game.
6. Tactical Adjustments: Grote may experiment with different formations or playing styles to challenge FC Augsburg and create more scoring opportunities for Union Berlin.

While these strategies are speculative, they provide insights into Union Berlin's potential approach to breaking their recent winless streak. Marcos Grote's final plan for this crucial game would most likely involve identifying FC Augsburg's weaknesses and determining the most effective tactics to exploit them.