With superlatives, that’s a thing in football. They are used too quickly and too often. The inflationary use often only seems to obey marketing purposes, but if you call out a Super Sunday before the 10th Bundesliga matchday, you will get the confirmation by table: first Union Berlin against Borussia Dortmund (Sunday 5.30 p.m.), then FC Bayern against SC Friborg (Sunday 7.30 p.m.). First against fourth, third against second. More is not possible.
Despite all the prophecies of doom – and despite the double burden of the Europa League – the “Eisernen” from Berlin-Köpenick and the Sport-Club from Breisgau are still in the top ranks that are actually reserved for the industry leaders. When Bayern CEO Oliver Kahn remarks after the top game between Dortmund and Bayern (2-2) that one cannot always hope that the others will only play a draw, that says it all. Everyone shows how sustainable development works in their own way. Recent successes on the international stage – SC Freiburg wins at FC Nantes (4-0), Union Berlin against Malmö FF (1-0) – speak for themselves.
Christian Streich remains modest
Both teams have more in common than red jerseys with a vertical pattern: continuity in the people involved. After all, the two clubs that have been working together with their coaches for more than three years are at the top. “Continuity in a club only comes when a team achieves results that exceed expectations”, says Freiburg’s head coach Christian Streich, who taught the team a high level of tactical discipline. Its players are adaptable, master different styles. Ball possession football included. Set pieces are an important secret of success, because Freiburg has been ahead in this category for years. Typical coaching work.
Master Streich, however, sees himself only as a part that contributes to the big picture. “In Freiburg there is continuity in many areas.” The 57-year-old took over the role of head coach in December 2011, Jochen Saier started as sporting director in 2013 and is now sporting director. At the same time, Klemens Hartenbach also started as sports director. What distinguishes the Troika is its close connection to the southern Baden region. Streich speaks his tongue and knows the people – his attitude suits the politically more left-leaning student city with its young mayor Martin Horn, who governs without party membership. Streich would probably have been his worst competitor if he had run for office.
Urs Fischer works calmly
Urs Fischer doesn’t delve that deeply into the capital, which isn’t possible with an upstart like Union Berlin. A big number in the east, for sure, but Berlin is simply too big, has too many offers and with Hertha BSC another Bundesliga club, which draws a lot of attention simply because of its turbulence. Nobody can deny that the “Iron” who were promoted in 2019 are now the clear number one in sport. And the Swiss fisherman, who was hired in 2018, has a large part to play in this: the 56-year-old initially worked under the radar with his calm manner, after several personal skinnings at the old forester’s shop, the football teacher enjoys respect across the country.
The club just renewed the contract and President Dirk Zingler said: “Urs Fischer is an excellent coach who led our team into the sportingly most successful phase of our club’s history.” The second international participation speaks volumes, for the first time the club is now wintering in the European Cup. However, Union Berlin games are rarely a feast for the eyes. The team is content with 43 percent ball possession (third worst value in the Bundesliga), delivers only 203 sprints per game (second worst value) and has only 165 ball contacts in the opponent’s penalty area (third worst value). Means: The basic order is more defensive, points are often booked with a sober style. The end justifies the means. Efficiency is paramount
Managing Director Oliver Ruhnert put together the broad squad with many options (and Bundesliga-tested players). Since he joined Union in 2017 after six years as head of the “Knappenschmiede” at FC Schalke 04, things have been going uphill. The 50-year-old is still involved in his homeland Sauerland as a local politician of the left. Ruhnert recently said about the current situation in the ZDF sports studio: “It’s a bit like a fairy tale right now and you hope you don’t wake up.” And further: “Of course we know where we come from.”
Economically, the sports club is better off than Union
Union Berlin does not have the long first division base like SC Freiburg. The sports club is also in excellent financial shape, recently increasing sales to 114.9 million euros, reporting an annual surplus of two million euros and increasing equity to 95 million euros. And all this in the third season despite the pandemic, in which the new stadium was also built, which will enable significantly higher gaming revenues in the future. At the same time, this is where the biggest differences to the current front runner can be seen, who have long had plans to expand their arena in the drawer.
Economically, a lot at Union Berlin is sewn on edge despite the boom – the club is basically in an investment phase. According to the financial figures announced by the German Football League (DFL), the negative equity amounted to 29 million euros. Most recently, the annual deficit was even 10.3 million. Liabilities have even increased to 72 million. The red numbers are wanted, however, explained Zingler at the digital general meeting and still spoke of the “sportingly and economically most successful phase of the club’s history”. His point of view: “Our real assets far exceed our real liabilities.” If things continue like this, there is no doubt about it.