Union Berlin - injuries & suspensions October 2026

Union Berlin: 2026/27 season preview

Union Berlin begin the 2026/2027 season after finishing 11th. Last season was a period of change in the dugout for the club. Steffen Baumgart was dismissed in April, and Marie-Louise Eta took charge for the final stretch of the campaign. In the summer, Union opted for an entirely new direction, appointing Mauro Lustrinelli. The Swiss coach previously managed FC Thun, guiding them to the Swiss title.

Lustrinelli has been tasked with changing Union’s style of play. In recent years, the team was known mainly for its highly disciplined defence, intensity and ability to make the most of set pieces. The new coach wants his side to be more adventurous on the ball, win it back more quickly after losing possession and take a more attacking approach to matches. During pre-season, Union lined up more often with a back four, marking a clear change from the three-centre-back system the club had used since earning promotion to the Bundesliga.

Rebuilding the heart of the defence

The biggest changes have come in defence. Union have lost two players who were key parts of their back line for years. Danilho Doekhi joined Lazio, while Diogo Leite left the club when his contract expired. Together, they made more than 270 appearances for Union in all competitions.

Among those brought in to replace them is Marvin Friedrich from Borussia Mönchengladbach, who returns to the club after several years away. Zeno Van Den Bosch from Royal Antwerp and Felix Uduokhai from Beşiktaş have also bolstered the defence. Union have also made Stanley Nsoki’s loan move from Hoffenheim permanent. Leopold Querfeld, Tom Rothe, Derrick Köhn, Josip Juranović and captain Christopher Trimmel remain in the squad.

Latte Lath tasked with improving the attack

Union have struggled in recent seasons to consistently create chances from open play. Emmanuel Latte Lath is therefore one of their most important summer signings. The Ivorian has joined on loan from Atlanta United and is expected to bring pace, movement off the ball and a greater threat in front of goal. He previously impressed in the English Championship, scoring 29 goals in 67 appearances for Middlesbrough.

Oliver Burke, Andrej Ilić, Marin Ljubičić and Livan Burcu are among those who remain in attack. Ilyas Ansah, who made 37 appearances for Union last season, has joined Hull City. The club have also signed Kastriot Imeri from Young Boys. The Swiss midfielder knows Lustrinelli from their time together at his previous club. He can play between the lines or out wide.

Khedira remains a point of reference

Amid so many changes, Rani Khedira retains an important role. The captain remains one of Union’s most experienced players and is expected to be one of the cornerstones of the new style of play. His job is not just to protect the defence. He will also help the team maintain the right distances between the lines and launch attacks after winning the ball.

Among those alongside him in midfield are Aljoscha Kemlein, András Schäfer, Janik Haberer, Woo-yeong Jeong, Michel Aebischer and Robert Skov. This group gives Lustrinelli the flexibility to switch formations and select players suited to a more attacking style.

Union want to change their identity

Union start the season with a heavily revamped squad and a new coach. That means moving away from some of the approaches familiar from previous years. The team must cope with the losses of Doekhi and Leite, as well as adapt to a new formation. Experienced players Khedira and Trimmel could play an important role in the process: they know the club’s identity and can help blend Union’s established character with Lustrinelli’s ideas.

The summer signings show that Union want not only to fill the gaps left by several experienced departures, but also to change their style of play. The club are aiming to offer more in attack while retaining their physicality and intensity.