Season story
The 2022/23 season was the high point of Union Berlin's history. The club from the east of the city, once located in the third tier, played its way into the Champions League. Under coach Urs Fischer, Union established themselves as a team that gave nothing away: tactically disciplined, physically strong and emotionally committed. The Alte Försterei magic became known across Europe.
The team stood on solid foundations. Goalkeeper Frederik Rønnow regularly prevented goals, the center-back pairing of Robin Knoche and Diogo Leite was strong in the air, and in midfield Rani Khedira and Janik Haberer provided the necessary stability. Up front, Sheraldo Becker and Kevin Behrens supplied goals, often from little possession. Union's style was honest: they knew what they could do and executed it masterfully.
Particularly impressive was their consistency against the top teams. Union took points off Bayern, Dortmund and Leverkusen because they did not open up and turned every opponent into hard work. Fourth place at the end of the season was no flash in the pan but the result of years of identity building.
Union Berlin's path from the third tier to the Champions League is one of German football's greatest rise stories — carried by a member-owned club whose fans embody "Eisern Union" to this day. In 2022/23 the club pulled off the feat of qualifying for Europe's elite competition with a fourth-place finish without changing its identity. In 34-0-0, Union is therefore the opponent most likely to be underestimated: disciplined, feisty and ready to annoy any favorite. This story of rise and identity makes Union an opponent in the game against whom you need your best performance — especially when you think they are weak. To beat them you must stay patient and patiently work their compact shape over 90 minutes.
In 34-0-0, Union 2022/23 play counter football (Strength 79, Defense 81). They are hard to break down because they sit deep and disciplined. Patience is the most important tool against them.
Tactical DNA
Style: Counter · Strength: 79 · Mid-table
Counter in the game: Possession. They wait for transitions — keep the ball and your patience.
Key players & ratings
| Player | Pos | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Sheraldo Becker (The whirlwind of the Alte Försterei) | CF | 81 |
| Frederik Rönnow | GK | 80 |
| Christopher Trimmel (The iron captain) | RWB | 80 |
| Danilho Doekhi | CB | 79 |
| Diogo Leite | CB | 79 |
| Rani Khedira | CDM | 79 |
Best XI
| Pos | Player | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| GK | Frederik Rönnow | 80 |
| LB | Danilho Doekhi | 79 |
| CB | Diogo Leite | 79 |
| CB | Rani Khedira | 79 |
| RB | Josip Juranovic | 78 |
| CDM | Grischa Prömel | 79 |
| CM | Aissa Laidouni | 78 |
| CM | Janik Haberer | 78 |
| LW | Sheraldo Becker | 81 |
| ST | Kevin Behrens | 78 |
| RW | Jordan Siebatcheu | 77 |
Beating this team in 34-0-0
Union Berlin 2022/23 play counter football — you answer with possession. Their defense is solid at 81, so you need patience and width. Use wing switches to loosen their compactness and avoid turnovers in the center, where they transition immediately. Away from home, an early goal is often enough to push them out of their comfort zone, because they are not used to having to chase the game.
FAQ
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Last updated: 2026-08-03