During the most recent Bundesliga matchday, Union displayed their credentials as a bona fide contender for a Champions League berth next season by impressively holding Bayern Munich to a 1-1 draw. Sheraldo Becker opened the scoring for Union in the 12th minute before Joshua Kimmich equalized for Bayern three minutes later.
Despite only having 25% of the possession and seldom being in control of the match's tempo, the club from the German capital kept Bayern frustrated and shackled with a resolute, gritty showing. They displayed the same mentality that served them so well throughout last season, showing absolutely no trepidation in the face of the onslaught served by their Bavarian opponents.
When this season began, there were genuine questions about whether Die Eisernen could match their performance from last season after having lost leading goalscorer Taiwo Awoniyi to Nottingham Forest. The Premier League club signed the Nigerian for a fee of €20.5 million, making him the most expensive signing in the club's history. However, ever since Awoniyi's departure, he and Union could not have experienced more disparate fortunes. At Forest, Awoniyi is locked in a battle to avoid relegation to the Championship. On the other hand, Union have taken it up a notch and could even qualify for the Champions League for the first time in the club's history.
Union's strong start to the season has in no small part been driven by Becker's sudden rise. The Surinamese striker has already exceeded his total of four goals from last season. With five in his first five matches, Becker is set to obliterate his career-best of seven; even that figure was accomplished in the far less competitive Eredivisie with ADO Den Haag. Compared to last season, he has spent more time playing centrally as opposed to coming in from out wide - a move that has clearly paid dividends. Becker has also shown good chemistry with strike partner and new signing Jordan Pefok; the pair clicked almost right from the beginning.
From a tactical standpoint, Union's 3-5-2 formation is somewhat unconventional according to the current "meta"; however, it clearly seems to work. Their setup has allowed them to be particularly effective on the counter-attack; thus, while Union tend to concede a great deal of possession to their opponents, this often has little impact on the flow of play. This tactical approach has not only brought Union much success; it has also made Urs Fischer one of the most underrated coaches in European football today.
Like many Bundesliga clubs operating on a rather limited budget, Union have had to work the transfer window for all it's worth - and they have done just that. Pefok, Morten Thorsby, and Janik Haberer were signed for a total cost of €9 million - well below their expected market value. When coupled the influx of revenue the club received from Awoniyi's departure, they could be primed to make a key signing during the upcoming mid-season transfer window.
Union's ascension since their promotion to the Bundesliga in 2019 is somewhat reminiscent of Atlético Madrid's rise in the late 2000s and early 2010s. Like Union, Atlético were a big-city club mired in the doldrums; elite status seemed worlds away. However, through a combination of shrewd signings, tactical brilliance from head coach Diego Simeone, first-class scouting, and ownership willing to do whatever was necessary to deliver success to the club, Atlético went from strength to strength and are today a Champions League mainstay as well as a frequent title contender in La Liga.
It is, of course, far too early to tell if Union will follow in Atlético footsteps. That said, a decade from now, they too could be making deep Champions League runs every year if they make the right moves. They're obviously on the right track - but will they keep it going?
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