Steffen Baumgart, the newly appointed head coach of 1. FC Union Berlin, experienced quite the memorable 53rd birthday, albeit under less-than-ideal circumstances. He celebrated the milestone at the Stadium An der Alten Försterei, overseeing his debut match against Holstein Kiel, which ended with his team losing 1:2. Despite the disappointing result, Baumgart emphasized the positives he witnessed during the game, highlighting the players' performance and the potential for growth.
The match took place on January 2, marking not only the start of Baumgart's reign but also coinciding with his birthday. Nearly 9,000 fans braved the cold and rainy conditions to support their team, hoping for a celebratory debut from their new coach. "It was certainly not the result I hoped for as a birthday gift, but I had plenty to appreciate during the game," Baumgart reflected post-match.
Upon his arrival, Baumgart made it clear he intended to focus on training intensity rather than adjusting player positions too significantly right away. He expressed his determination to understand the existing setup: "We won't just start shifting things around—first, I want to assess where we stand, both geographically on the field and qualitatively with the players; they are of high quality, to begin with."
The match was structured unusually, lasting two halves of 60 minutes each, with breaks every 30 minutes. This format allowed Baumgart plenty of opportunities to evaluate his squad closely. Union Berlin started on the back foot when Kiel took the lead through Armin Gigovic's header following a beautiful assist from Phil Harres, continually evaluating how his players performed under pressure.
Baumgart aims to introduce more aggressive ball recovery strategies—a departure from the previous tactical setups seen at Union Berlin. He implemented the four-man defense he planned, positioning Danilho Doekhi and Kevin Vogt centrally, flanked by Josip Juranovic and Tom Rothe. Each of these strategic decisions was aimed at rejuvenation following a series of unsatisfactory results leading up to Baumgart's arrival.
The new coach was visibly engaged on the sidelines, animatedly gesturing to his players, attempting to communicate adjustments and tactical movements. Yet, the match saw Union struggle to turn possession and momentum—only Equalizing late with Ten Men through Yorbe Vertessen’s impressive skill, which involved using his heel to maneuver through two defenders before slotting home. Still, it wasn't enough to snatch victory.
Just as it appeared Union might build on this momentum, disaster struck. Kiel’s captain Lewis Holtby exploited defensive errors to set up Fiete Arp for the game-winning goal shortly before the final whistle. Baumgart’s side left the pitch disappointed, aware they had fumbled the opportunity to win against their lower-tier opponents.
Despite the loss, Baumgart remained optimistic, saying, “I saw many things I like. I know the result wasn’t what we wanted, but I saw qualities and potential. We need to build on these elements.” His determination to catalyze emotional engagement and instill confidence will shape Union’s strategies moving forward.
Looking forward, Baumgart sees himself revitalizing the offensive prowess of the squad, which has faced challenges recently. He plans to make minor adjustments rather than complete overhauls, fostering gradual improvements. His immediate focus will be on instilling confidence and competitive spirit, creating cohesion among players.
Next up, Union Berlin faces some challenging matches, with the first Bundesliga tie set against 1. FC Heidenheim. Baumgart will closely analyze performances leading up to this game and will likely implement changes to solidify his squad's effectiveness both defensively and offensively.
Baumgart’s arrival could herald the dawn of improved fortunes for the club. Many fans remain hopeful for congenial results, especially considering the hopeful glimpse of resilience shown during this test match. Although his first result was not what fans would have wanted, the new leader's vision and energy promise exciting possibilities for the future of 1. FC Union Berlin.