The restart after the Max Kruse era (33, from Wolfsburg) begins at Union. Coach Urs Fischer (55) on the change of playmaker: “He got a great offer. I too was surprised. It goes on.”
Before the game on Saturday (3.30 p.m., live ticker in the BZ) in Augsburg, the question is who should take on the Kruse job.
Fischer: “You can’t replace Kruse 1:1. But I am convinced that we have other players who can fill this hole.”
The first solution should be: speed and power instead of Kruse’s filigree ideas. The ex-national player wasn’t the fastest, but he was often able to outmaneuver opponents with skillful passes and initiate dangerous situations.
Union will now change its style of play and try to surprise opponents with speed. The midfield should be bridged more quickly. Up front, the fast and powerful attackers Taiwo Awoniyi (24), Andreas Voglsammer (30), Sheraldo Becker (26) and Kevin Behrens (31) have to finish without much hesitation.
That is also entirely the game of winter signing Sven Michel (31, Paderborn). The striker, a nimble fighter with 14 goals in the second division, will be in the squad in Augsburg. He grabbed Kruse’s shirt number 10. That shows self-confidence.
also read
►Union coach Fischer shows understanding for Kruse change
►Schäfer about Kruse: Without a hunger for success “he would have stayed in Berlin”
Fischer: “I hope that Sven doesn’t try to be Max Kruse. Sven Michel is said to be Sven Michel. Then we’ll do a lot of things right. We get variations with him.”
Newcomer Andras Schäfer (22, Streda) is supposed to twirl as a setter in attacking midfield. He passed the endurance test on Thursday. Maybe he too will follow in Kruse’s footsteps.