Union Berlin’s Relegation Battle: The Importance of Team Balance and Veteran Leadership

The unbalanced structure of the team that manager Oliver Ruhnert put together at the beginning of the season and in the winter is Union Berlin’s biggest responsibility in the relegation battle.

The Union team assembled for Champions League qualification could ultimately be too green and inexperienced to stay in the league. Coach Nenad Bjelica (52): “We have to know that we also have very young people.”

They should take Europe by storm – but they don’t have to save the league in the tough fight for survival. The Iron Men are only two points ahead of the 16th relegation spot.

The veterans are now in demand before the duel in Mönchengladbach on Sunday (3:30pm).

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Captain Christopher Trimmel (37): “It is also up to us as leaders to take responsibility in such a difficult stage and build the team. We have a few young players who haven’t been in this situation before.”

BILD says which veteran is especially important now. And what an experienced player he is of the profession.

Frederik Rönnow (31): The goalkeeper has been the most consistent Union professional for months. He hardly made any mistakes in the second half of the season. But: The Dane could be taller on and off the pitch.

Kevin Vogt (32): Support in the defense, which looked very good in the second half of the season except against Munich (1:5). However, the defensive boss is not a goal threat when it comes to offensive standards. Attention: Robin Knoche (31/302 Bundesliga games), who has not been given much attention recently, is waiting for his chance. Competition drives business.

Christopher Trimmel: The captain and leader (with the Union since 2014) embodies the DNA of the Union: never give up. His standards need to be more specific again. Good omen: The Ösi also made successful progress in the final relegation battle of the Union in the second division season 2017/18.

Rani Khedira (30): Lost against Munich. Without him there was no stability in midfield. He should be fit for Sunday’s game (3:30pm) in Mönchengladbach. It would be great if he came back.

Robin Gosens (29): The Union’s top scorer (6 goals) needs to shoot again – without a goal in five games. After the failed actions of the team, he argues for too long. He must deliver now.

Kevin Volland (31): The offensive man (269 Bundesliga games / 79 goals) should be a guiding light for his young forward colleagues. He has been without a Bundesliga goal for 14 games. It is highly unlikely at the moment that he will overcome his own form crisis and bring the young players with him.