Steffen Baumgart Tactics At Union Berlin 2024/2025 – Tactical Analysis

Union Berlin were on quite the ride for a few years as a club, having achieved a higher league finish for six consecutive seasons, which included a promotion to the Bundesliga and even UEFA Champions League football.

But ever since their top-four finish in 2022/23, which earned them that place among Europes elite, things have been going south for the club from Germanys capital.

Having narrowly avoided relegation last season by finishing one spot above the relegation play-offs, doing so only on goal difference over Bochum, they hired former Mainz manager Bo Svensson in the summer, looking to bounce back after a rough season.

Their ambitions were to rediscover their old heights and climb back up the table into the top half, but unfortunately for them, its been a continuation of the struggles they endured last term.

This led to a coaching change mid-season after the Bundesliga went on a three-week winter break.

Svensson was let go after just six months and five wins in seventeen games.

His replacement turned out to be Steffen Baumgart, who had previously managed Köln and Hamburg, both within the previous twelve months before his arrival at Stadion An der Alten Försterei.

Nevertheless, as someone who plied his trade as a player for the club over twenty years ago, where he was a fan favourite as a prolific goalscorer during their spell in the 2. Bundesliga, there was hope that he could bring smiles to the faces again of the Union faithful, now as a manager.

So far, its not been an easy start by any stretch, with all three games hes overseen since arriving at the helm ending in defeat.

This football analysis will take a closer look at the changes Baumgart has made in his first three matches and how they differ from those of his predecessor, with a particular focus on the period leading up to the winter break and the subsequent coaching change.

Steffen Baumgart Coaching Style & Formations

Before looking into Steffen Baumgart tactics, its important to consider why he was appointed by Union Berlin in the first place, especially after unceremonious endings at two different clubs in just a year elsewhere.

Besides the fact that he is very familiar with Union Berlin as a club from his playing days and the Bundesliga as a manager, his strong character and demanding approach were seen as key reasons for his recruitment, according to their sporting director Horst Heldt upon his hiring.

Heldt also added that Baumgarts way of leading a team and developing players was also an important consideration in the decision to bring him in.

This point suggests that Union sees Baumgart as a long-term solution to the coaching position, where the club needs to find stability again after having had four other managers in just over a year prior to Baumgarts arrival.

Moving on to the tactical side and the adjustments that Baumgart has already made, one immediately noticeable change is Unions shift to a four-man defensive line.

Union Berlin had been operating mostly with a back three or five ever since their promotion to the top flight under Urs Fischer in 2019, with the occasional switch of tactics here and there, so switching to a system the current squad wasnt designed to play was a big call Baumgart made, one which he is still adamant on despite the slow start.

Union Berlin Formations 2024/2025

Above, we can see the lineups and formations that Baumgart has used in each of his three games to date: a friendly against Holstein Kiel, a game away at Heidenheim, and a league match at home against Augsburg.

While he hasnt compromised on his decision to play with a back four and isnt likely to, based on his comments in the face of criticism following the Augsburg defeat, he has adjusted his front six with set-ups such as 4-2-3-1, 4-4-2, and 4-1-4-1 being utilized.

Baumgart likes to play an attacking brand of football, emphasizing direct and pu