Steffen Baumgart is embracing his role as the head coach of 1. FC Union Berlin, and though he doesn’t wear the traditional top hat of a magician, he is certainly working to conjure up significant changes for his team. Recently, the club faced off against Holstein Kiel, marking Baumgart’s debut, but ended up losing 1:2. Despite the result, the enthusiastic coach shared insights from the match, promising fans he saw many positive signs.
Baumgart, who took over the reins at 1. FC Union Berlin on January 2, 2025, noted, “I saw a good game with high intensity and many scoring chances. I saw opportunities to score. Only the result is not the right one from our perspective. But I saw a lot of what I want to see. I am confident if we play like this, we will win games.” His remarks indicated the shift he aims to instill, pushing players to put forth more effort as he integrates his strategies.
This pre-season friendly consisted of four 30-minute halves, providing ample playing time for the squad. Baumgart’s regime appears to infuse fresh energy and determination within his players. Rani Khedira, one of the midfielders, echoed this sentiment, expressing, “The manner of play was fine. We created plenty of scoring chances, and I am optimistic we will utilize these opportunities.”
Baumgart focuses on achieving higher intensity and quicker transitions for his squad. He did, nonetheless, recognize some deficiencies, stating, “The fact is we were not quick enough going forward in certain situations.” This pointed approach hints at the technical adjustments he believes need to be made, as he aims to strengthen his side's offensive capabilities and cohesiveness.
Defender Josip Juranovic joins Baumgart's positive outlook, revitalized from the enthusiasm. “The boys are doing well and have very good physical condition. For large parts of the game, it was evident this is a team with the will to win,” he noted.
Despite the upbeat analysis, Union Berlin must confront challenges, especially the absence of their first-choice goalkeeper, Frederik Rönnow, who remains sidelined with injury. Baumgart faces the decision of which players will continue on the squad and who might not feature against 1. FC Heidenheim on January 6, 2025.
While the result against Kiel may not have reflected the team’s preparation adequately, Baumgart emphasized, “We created many chances and want to continue working hard in training to implement these aspects even more.” The new strategic framework, involving the implementation of a four-man defense, signals the tactical direction he envisions for the team.
Klub captain Christopher Trimmel added the importance of time: “We have already been able to implement many new concepts, but of course, not much time has passed.” This recognition implies the necessity for continued focus and practice as players adapt to Baumgart's new systems.
While 1. FC Union Berlin ended their friendly with Kiel on the losing side, the future, according to Baumgart and his players, looks encouraging with newfound determination and persistence. The team’s focus now lies on meshing Baumgart’s tactics with their strengths as they prepare for their upcoming competitive matches, with hopes high for significant improvements moving forward.