Union Berlin's defensive crisis: too many goals conceded endanger its former strength

1. FC Union Berlin is developing into the league's shooting gallery. Of all things, the defense, once Köpenicker's showpiece, has become a major weak point. “The fact is, we concede too many goals. Goals that are too easy and we lose our strength, so to speak,” said leading player Rani Khedira after the 1:3 at home against Bundesliga promoted team FC Schalke 04.

The former fortress in the An der Alten Försterei stadium is no longer a place that the competition is afraid of. And the defense, which once defended passionately and hardly allowed any goals, doesn't scare the opponents either. The Unioners have already conceded a total of ten goals in the first three games. If it weren't for Frederik Rönnow in goal, who thwarted several great chances both against Leverkusen (0:4) and against Schalke, things would look even bleaker. “Too many gifts,” criticized coach Mauro Lustrinelli.

Of the 14 matches this season, including all test and competitive games, Union was only able to survive one game without conceding a goal - in the charity kick against eighth division club Grün-Weiss Lüben (16:0). “We can’t concede three things every game because scoring four goals every game is difficult,” warned defender Tom Rothe.

Khedira: Switching to a back four is no excuse

What is striking is that Union often only wakes up and creates chances when the game is actually almost lost. “Perhaps this energy and willingness to run from minute one would be good,” demanded Rothe. Lustrinelli actually wants to establish aggressive and courageous offensive football in Köpenick. The club management is ready to give the coach the necessary time for this change. But President Dirk Zingler's patience may not be limitless either.

In the third Bundesliga game, Lustrinelli sent a changed central defense onto the pitch for the third time. The players don't feel comfortable in the newly formed back four either. «Of course we still have to get used to it. It's a way," said Rothe. Khedira didn't want the change to count as an excuse. “Every Bundesliga player must be able to play in a back four. “My youth consisted of a back four,” said Khedira.