CLUB SNAPSHOT: At a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Club | 1. FC Union Berlin |
| League | Bundesliga |
| Manager | Mauro Lustrinelli |
| Stadium | Stadion An der Alten Fรถrsterei |
| Nickname | Die Eisernen |
| Founded | 1966 |
| First-Choice Centre-Backs | Leopold Querfeld / Zeno Van Den Bosch |
| First-Choice Full-Backs | Josip Juranoviฤ (RB) / Tom Rothe (LB) |
| Key Absences | Stanley Nsoki, Marvin Friedrich, Andrik Markgraf |
| Defining Trait | A defence rebuilt on the cheap after losing its entire first-choice pairing, held together by a 22-year-old Austrian and a left-back who is the team’s most productive attacker |
The Defining Moment
Union Berlin’s defence entered the 2026/27 season in a state of forced reconstruction. The previous campaign’s first-choice centre-back pairingโDanilho Doekhi and Diogo Leiteโhad both departed on free transfers . Alex Kral, the midfield screen in front of them, had also left. The club’s response was not to reinvest heavily but to improvise: Stanley Nsoki’s loan was made permanent for โฌ1.5 million, Marvin Friedrich returned on a free transfer, Zeno Van Den Bosch arrived on a free, and Felix Uduokhai was signed from Beลiktaล for a reported six-figure fee . The spending was so modest that reports suggested Union were focusing resources on stadium infrastructure rather than the playing squad .
The defining problem emerged almost immediately. By early November, Union had conceded nineteen goals in eight Bundesliga matches, a rate of 2.38 per game, and sat sixteenth in the table . The 7-0 defeat to Bayern Munich and the 4-0 loss to Leverkusen were humiliations that exposed the gap between Union’s rebuilt defence and the division’s elite. The 1-0 victory over Elversberg and the 0-0 draw with Dortmund offered glimpses of resilience, but the overall picture was of a back line that could be pulled apart by anyone with sufficient quality.
The defining tension of Union’s defensive season is therefore one of survival and identity. Lustrinelli inherited a squad stripped of its defensive spine and given replacements who were either free transfers, returning veterans, or young players with something to prove. Tom Rothe, the 22-year-old left-back, has been the unexpected bright spotโseven appearances, one goal, one assist, and a market value of โฌ11.5 million that makes him the club’s most valuable asset . But one promising full-back cannot compensate for a structural collapse.
This is the story of Union’s 2026/27 defenders: a rebuilt back line assembled on a budget, a young Austrian centre-back carrying the weight of expectation, a left-back who has become the team’s most potent attacking threat, and a defence that is fighting to stay above water.
Tactical Context
Lustrinelli’s Union are a team in transition, and the defensive structure reflects that instability. The Swiss coach arrived from Thun with a reputation for organisation and discipline, but pre-season yielded only two wins from nine matches, and the early Bundesliga results suggested that his ideas had not yet taken root .
The statistics paint a picture of a team that is being outplayed in almost every phase. Union average 42% possession and complete only 74% of their passes, both among the worst in the division . Their 97 duels per game and 50% success rate are middling, but the volume of defensive work they are forced to doโbecause they cannot keep the ballโexposes the back line to constant pressure. The 15.27 shots they face per game is a consequence of a midfield that cannot protect them and an attack that cannot relieve them.
The tactical question Lustrinelli inherited was how to build a defence from scratch without the resources to do so properly. His answer has been rotation and pragmatism: Querfeld, Van Den Bosch, Uduokhai, and Friedrich have all featured, with the pairing changing depending on availability and opponent. The 4-2-3-1 and 4-1-3-2 shapes used in the early matches reflect a coach still searching for a formula that works . The return of Rรถnnow in goal has offered some stability, but the defenders in front of him remain a work in progress.
The Defenders
Leopold Querfeld
Querfeld is the centre-back upon whom Union’s defensive future depends, a 22-year-old Austrian whose market value of โฌ15.3 million makes him the club’s second most valuable player behind Rothe . His four appearances and 360 minutes this season have yielded one goal and one assist, a return that reflects his growing confidence in both boxes .
His profile is that of the modern ball-playing centre-back: 1.90 metres tall, comfortable in possession, and capable of stepping into midfield when the opportunity arises. At 22, he is already a full Austria international and has attracted attention from larger clubs, a fact that Union will be aware of as they plan for a future that may not include him.
The question for Querfeld this season is whether he can anchor a defence that is under constant siege without letting the pressure erode his development. The 7-0 defeat to Bayern was a brutal education, but his responseโa goal in the 1-0 win over Elversbergโsuggested a player capable of learning from adversity. If Union are to survive, Querfeld’s continued growth is essential.
Zeno Van Den Bosch
Van Den Bosch is the free-transfer arrival who has become a regular starter, a 23-year-old Belgian centre-back who joined from Genk in the summer . His six appearances and 469 minutes this season have yielded one goal, and his partnership with Querfeld has been Lustrinelli’s most frequent centre-back pairing .
His profile is that of the physically imposing defender: 1.91 metres tall, right-footed, and comfortable in aerial duels. At 23, he is at an age where development is still possible, and his free-transfer arrival reflects Union’s broader strategy of finding value in players whose potential has not yet been fully realised.
The question for Van Den Bosch is whether he can adapt to the pace and intensity of the Bundesliga quickly enough to help Union stabilise. The early evidence is mixed: he has shown enough to keep his place, but the defensive record suggests that neither he nor Querfeld is yet capable of organising a back line at this level.
Tom Rothe
Rothe is the standout defender and, remarkably, one of Union’s most productive attackers. The 22-year-old left-back has seven appearances and 630 minutes this season, scoring one goal and providing one assist . His market value of โฌ11.5 million reflects a player whose development has accelerated beyond expectations since joining from Dortmund in 2024.
His profile is that of the modern attacking full-back: 1.93 metres tall, left-footed, and capable of contributing at both ends. His 22 tackles this season place him among the division’s most active defenders, and his willingness to push forward offers Union one of their few reliable routes out of defence .
The question for Rothe is whether his attacking contributions can compensate for the defensive vulnerabilities that come with his advanced positioning. In a team that struggles to keep possession, every forward run carries risk. But Rothe has been Union’s most consistent performer, and his development is one of the few genuinely positive stories of the season.
Josip Juranoviฤ
Juranoviฤ is the experienced right-back, a 31-year-old Croatian whose four appearances and 328 minutes this season have been interrupted by injury and rotation . His three assists in that limited time demonstrate that his delivery from wide areas remains a genuine weapon.
His profile is that of the seasoned full-back: technically secure, positionally disciplined, and capable of contributing in the final third. At 31, he is no longer a long-term solution, but in a squad as thin as Union’s, his experience is invaluable.
The question for Juranoviฤ is availability. With Christopher Trimmel, at 39, serving as his backup, Union have no margin for error at right-back. When Juranoviฤ plays, the defence is more organised. When he does not, the right side becomes a vulnerability.
Felix Uduokhai
Uduokhai is the late-summer arrival, a 29-year-old German centre-back signed from Beลiktaล in late August . His five appearances and 450 minutes this season reflect a player who has been thrust into the starting XI almost immediately, without the benefit of a full pre-season .
His profile is that of the experienced defender: 1.93 metres tall, left-footed, and capable of providing the kind of physical presence that Union’s back line otherwise lacks. At 29, he is in his prime, but his late arrival meant that he was learning his teammates’ patterns while simultaneously trying to stop Bundesliga attackers.
The question for Uduokhai is whether he can establish himself as the organising presence that Union’s defence desperately needs. The early evidence suggests he is a competent squad option, but the defensive record indicates that competence is not enough.
Stanley Nsoki
Nsoki is the permanent signing whose season has yet to begin. The 27-year-old French centre-back, whose loan was made permanent for โฌ1.5 million, has made zero appearances this season and was listed among the unavailable players at the start of the campaign .
His profile is that of the athletic, left-footed defender: quick across the ground, capable of covering large spaces, and comfortable in a back three or a back four. At full fitness, he would offer Lustrinelli a genuine alternative to Querfeld and Van Den Bosch.
The question for Nsoki is whenโor whetherโhe will be available. In a squad as thin as Union’s, his absence is a significant loss.
Marvin Friedrich
Friedrich is the returning veteran, a 30-year-old German centre-back who rejoined Union on a free transfer in the summer after previous spells at the club and at Borussia Mรถnchengladbach . He has made zero appearances this season, having been unavailable at the start of the campaign .
His profile is that of the experienced squad defender: physically robust, tactically disciplined, and familiar with the club’s culture and expectations. At 30, he is not a long-term investment, but his availability would give Lustrinelli another option in a position where options are scarce.
Christopher Trimmel
Trimmel is the club legend and emergency option, a 39-year-old Austrian right-back who has been at Union since 2014 . His five appearances and 130 minutes this season reflect a player whose role has diminished to that of a late-game substitute and injury cover .
His profile is that of the experienced professional: positionally aware, technically competent, and capable of filling in without complaint. At 39, he is no longer a Bundesliga starter, but in a squad as thin as Union’s, his presence offers a measure of insurance.
Andrik Markgraf
Markgraf is the long-term absentee, a 20-year-old left-back who suffered a knee injury in pre-season and underwent surgery in July 2026 . He has made zero appearances this season and his return timeline is unspecified.
His profile is that of the developing young defender: 1.72 metres tall, left-footed, and with limited senior experience. At 20, he is a long-term project rather than an immediate solution, and his absence removes a depth option that Lustrinelli could have used.
Derrick Kรถhn
Kรถhn is the backup left-back, a 27-year-old Ghanaian whose two appearances and sixteen minutes this season reflect a peripheral role . His profile is that of the experienced squad player: capable of filling in when Rothe is unavailable, but not a challenger for the starting position.
The Numbers Game
TABLE A: Union Berlin Defender Bundesliga Statistics (2026/27, as of November)
| Player | Apps | Minutes | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tom Rothe | 7 | 630 | 1 | 1 |
| Zeno Van Den Bosch | 6 | 469 | 1 | 0 |
| Felix Uduokhai | 5 | 450 | 0 | 0 |
| Leopold Querfeld | 4 | 360 | 1 | 1 |
| Josip Juranoviฤ | 4 | 328 | 0 | 3 |
| Christopher Trimmel | 5 | 130 | 0 | 0 |
| Derrick Kรถhn | 2 | 16 | 0 | 0 |
| Stanley Nsoki | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Marvin Friedrich | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Andrik Markgraf | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Figures from ScoutingStats.AI .
TABLE B: Union Berlin Defensive Unit โ Key Metrics (2026/27)
TABLE C: Defender Career Context & Pedigree
| Player | Nationality | Previous Clubs | Style Profile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leopold Querfeld | Austria | Rapid Wien | Ball-playing, composed, developing |
| Zeno Van Den Bosch | Belgium | Genk | Physical, aerial, free-transfer arrival |
| Tom Rothe | Germany | Dortmund, Holstein Kiel (loan) | Attacking, tall, productive |
| Josip Juranoviฤ | Croatia | Celtic, Legia Warsaw | Experienced, delivery, injury-prone |
| Felix Uduokhai | Germany | Beลiktaล, Augsburg, Wolfsburg | Physical, left-footed, late arrival |
| Stanley Nsoki | France | Club Brugge, Nice, PSG (youth) | Athletic, quick, unavailable |
| Marvin Friedrich | Germany | Gladbach, Union (previous) | Experienced, returning, unavailable |
Tactical Identity & Squad Balance
Union’s defensive unit reflects a club that has been forced to rebuild on the cheap after losing its entire first-choice pairing. The departures of Doekhi and Leite on free transfers were a financial necessity, not a sporting choice, and the replacementsโVan Den Bosch, Uduokhai, Friedrich, and the permanent signing of Nsokiโwere assembled with limited resources . The result is a back line that is functional in parts but fragile as a whole.
The vulnerability identified by the early season is not personnel but structure. Union concede 15.27 shots per game, a statistic that reflects a midfield that cannot protect the defence and an attack that cannot keep the ball . Querfeld and Van Den Bosch are not bad defenders; they are defenders being asked to do too much with too little support. The 7-0 defeat to Bayern was an extreme example, but the pattern was visible in the 4-0 loss to Leverkusen and the 3-3 draw with Frankfurt.
The broader question is whether Lustrinelli can build a defensive structure that protects his centre-backs without sacrificing the attacking contributions of Rothe and Juranoviฤ. A back three might offer additional cover, but Union’s squad is not deep enough to sustain it. A more conservative midfield might shield the defence, but that would further reduce an attack that already struggles to score. The balance Lustrinelli seeks may not be achievable with the players he has.
The Verdict from the Camp
OneFootball, on the defensive rebuild:
“Union have lost their key central defensive pairing of Danilho Doekhi and Diogo Leite, both of whom left on free transfers. That will likely sting the club’s hierarchy even more given the importance of the duo to the side in recent seasons.”
OneFootball, on the predicted XI:
“Centre-back rotation is likely, and Burke, Iliฤ, Nsoki and Friedrich are unavailable.”
WELT, on the season opener:
“Lustrinelli muss im Stadion An der Alten Fรถrsterei nicht nur auf die angeschlagenen Oliver Burke, Andrej Iliฤ, Stanley N’Soki und Marvin Friedrich verzichten. Dafรผr kรถnnte Neuzugang Felix Uduokhai in der Innenverteidigung sein Debรผt feiern.”
Where Next?
Union’s defensive priority is clear: they need to stop conceding goals at a rate that makes survival impossible. The return of Nsoki and Friedrich would give Lustrinelli options he has not yet had, but neither is a guaranteed solution. Querfeld’s development is the most promising subplotโif he can establish himself as a reliable Bundesliga centre-back, Union have a foundation to build on. If he cannot, the defence will remain what it has been: a patchwork held together by Rothe’s energy and Rรถnnow’s saves.
The broader question is whether Union’s summer strategyโfree transfers, modest fees, and infrastructure investmentโwas a calculated gamble or a failure of ambition. The club’s resources are limited, and the decision to prioritise the stadium over the squad is understandable in the long term. But in the short term, the defence is paying the price.
For now, Union’s defenders are a unit defined by improvisation and vulnerability: a 22-year-old Austrian carrying expectations beyond his years, a free-transfer Belgian adjusting to a higher level, a left-back who is the team’s most potent attacker, and a collection of unavailable or aging options who cannot arrive quickly enough.
