Football Season Guide

Bundesliga

Germany

Bundesliga

2019/2020

Union Berlin

In

Manuel Schmiedebach(mid) (Hannover); Julius Kade(mid) (Hertha Berlin); Moritz Nicolas(gk) (Borussia Monchengladbach - Loan); Suleiman Abdullahi(mid) (Eintracht Braunschweig); Florian Flecker(mid) (Hartberg); Marcus Ingvartsen(att) (Genk); Robert Andrich(mid) (Heidenheim); Anthony Ujah(att) (Mainz); Sheraldo Becker(att) (ADO Den Haag); Keven Schlotterbeck(def) (Freiburg); Marius Bulter(att) (Magdeburg - Loan); Neven Subotic(def) (AS Saint-Étienne); Marvin Friedrich(def) (Augsburg); Christian Gentner(mid) (Stuttgart);

Out

Fabian Schönheim(sp)(def) (Released); Lennart Moser(gk) (Energie Cottbus - Loan); Marcel Hartel(mid) (Released); Marc Torrejon(sp)(def) (Released); Berkan Taz(mid) (Energie Cottbus - Loan); Marvin Friedrich(r)(def) (Augsburg); Eroll Zejnullahu(mid) (Released); Robert Zulj(sp)(mid) (Hoffenhein - End of Loan); Carlos Mane(mid) (Sporting CP - End of Loan);

Union Berlin had to go through the playoffs route but managed to pull off an upset to secure their first ever promotion to the Bundesliga after an inferior goal difference meant they missed out on an automatic promotion spot by finishing third in the 2.Bundesliga Berlin had the best defensive record in the league last season, conceding just 33 goals, and they have further improved the defensive aspect of their play by bringing in a couple of experienced Bundesliga campaigners in Christian Gentner and Neven Subotic. They have also managed to convert loan deals of Marvin Friedrich and Suleiman Abdullahi into permanent moves after the duo played key roles in the promotion push. Anthony Ujah also promises reliable cover for Sebastian Polter and Sebastian Andersson, both of whom led the scoring charts for Berlin last season. Other signings include Marcus Ingvartsen and Robert Andrich, signed from Genk and Heidenheim respectively, while winger Marius Bülter has been signed on a loan deal from Magdeburg though the trio are only expected to improve the overall depth for Berlin. They have also managed to sign Manuel Schmiedebach on a permanent deal, with the midfielder being a regular in the starting lineup for Berlin last season. With regards to departures, Robert Zulj has returned back to Hoffenheim after his loan deal expired and the midfielder did play a part in Berlin's campaign last season, chipping in with four goals and four assists, while Carlos Mane also saw his loan deal ended though the winger failed to make an impact in the second division Urs Fischer set up a team that pressed high up the pitch in the second division last season and the Swiss coach will be keen to replicate that system in the Bundesliga as well but will be pragmatic enough to know Berlin will be up against higher quality opposition. Much will depend on how Berlin will be able to cope with a step up in the quality and, should they manage to successfully do so, then they do stand a good chance of avoiding the drop come the end of the season.

Target

Will be aiming to extend their stay in the Bundesliga for a second season but face a tough fight to do so