From the first minute: 1. FC Union wants to beat Werder at their own game

When 1. FC Union announced a transfer on Monday evening, they were actually prepared to be presented with another replacement for Julian Ryerson, who had moved to Borussia Dortmund, in addition to Josep Juranovic. In fact, it was Tim Skarke, who was loaned to Schalke 04. Union coach Urs Fischer will therefore rely on his captain Christopher Trimmel, the two newcomers Juranovic and Jérôme Roussillon as well as Niko Gießelmann on the wings in the second half of the season.

In the Bundesliga game against Werder Bremen on Wednesday in the Weser Stadium (8.30 p.m., Sky), the two newcomers could be in the squad for the first time. In addition to Morten Thorsby, who still has a training deficit, everyone else is an option, including András Schäfer. Juranovic’s impression is positive, according to Fischer: “He wants to show himself, is active. But just describing a player after two or three sessions is not enough. What I saw is good.”

As history has shown, Fischer is not a fan of sending new players completely unprepared. It can therefore be assumed that Trimmel and Gießelmann will be in the starting XI again. Still having a player like Juranovic up your sleeve is a big advantage from a Union perspective. “He played 90 minutes with Celtic last Wednesday, so you don’t need any more preparation, he’s in good shape.”

We had our aha effect against Hoffenheim after the first half. But the game starts with the first minute, not with the 46th minute.

Urs Fischer about the Unions catching up against Hoffenheim

Sticking to the 3-5-2 system against Werder, who recently played with the same tactical orientation, would also be logical. Because Fischer is known for putting value on the basics and they are now more solid in the usual system and were also an indicator of success in the home win over Hoffenheim. In addition to the system, Werder and Union have some other similarities in the game system.

“It’s a compact team that’s very aggressive and plays very quickly on the back line because the second ball goes over, and in Niclas Füllkrug and Marvin Duksch they have two absolute target players who do it really well,” says Fischer, who, however, sees his team prepared for the header strength of Füllkrug. “It is important to prevent crosses and then prepare accordingly for this duel. That will be a task for the entire defense.”

Both teams have their strengths in the transition game

The Swiss would like to ignore Bremen’s 7-1 defeat in Cologne and referred to the bitter bankruptcy of Union against Leverkusen shortly before the winter break. “The good thing is actually that you have another game two or three days later and can quickly focus on the next task. They didn’t bother with it for too long, a lot came together and then we have afternoons like that here too,” says Fischer. Werder coach Ole Werner didn’t want to overrate the game either: “You mustn’t make the mistake of questioning everything now. What matters is that you reflect on the things that have distinguished you so far.”

Just like Union, the Werderers have their strengths in the transition game, but above all they have comeback qualities. And since the late win over Hoffenheim at the latest, Union can also book that on the credit side. A factor that should also be important against Werder is the game on the flanks and the standard strength has apparently returned at Union.

However, what is not going so well for the Köpenickers this season is the statistics in away games. Union only got ten points in eight games there, which shouldn’t make the task at the Weserstadion any easier. In addition, there is a need to catch up in the defensive switching movement, which only got better against Hoffenheim in the second half, as Fischer criticized. “Against Hoffenheim we had our aha effect after the first half. But the game starts with the first minute, not with the 46th minute. That was an issue,” says Fischer, but he nevertheless praised his team. “That speaks for the morale and mentality of the team. But that doesn’t work every time, so we have to get the basics right from the start.”

The basics will also be in demand in Bremen, who want to meet their high expectations after the good first half of the season against Union. Werder’s mental strength was excellent this season, so the defeat in Cologne shouldn’t throw them off course.

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Source: Tagesspiegel

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