Can Marie-Louise Eta's new approach transform Union Berlin's fortunes?
Marie-Louise Eta got off to a losing start as Union Berlin head coach against Wolfsburg. However, with 27 shots on target and a much better xG, were the early signs encouraging for the club's new boss?
The Matchday 30 clash between Union and Wolfsburg was always going to be a significant occasion. Having been hired on an interim basis the prior weekend, Eta made history by becoming the first female head coach in Bundesliga history on Saturday.
Up against a Wolfsburg side embroiled in a relegation battle, the 34-year-old had a perfect opportunity to experiment and test out a new tactical plan. Indeed, the intent was clear from the outset. Despite falling behind to an early Patrick Wimmer wonderstrike, the home side took the game to Wolfsburg, putting them under consistent pressure with crosses and set pieces.
Watch: Union Berlin 1-2 Wolfsburg - highlights
Most notable of all was the impact of club captain Christopher Trimmel. The veteran wing-back, who was benched in the final few games of previous Union head coach Steffen Baumgart's reign, returned to the starting line-up for Eta's first outing. Liberated in the final third, his dangerous crosses from deep caused panic in the Wolfsburg backline. With better finishing from the likes of Ilyas Ansah and Danilho Doekhi, Trimmel would have an assist or two to his name.
In the end, two moments of magic from Wimmer and Dženan Pejčinović saw Dieter Hecking's side walk away with all three points, but the scoreline only tells half of the story.
Union had 27 shots in total, ending the game with an xG of 2.92 to Wolfsburg's 0.19. Poor finishing, rather than poor tactics, seemingly cost Eta a debut win. Bigger challenges lie ahead for the interim coach, as Union aren't mathematically safe from relegation just yet. Nevertheless, as Eta attests, the early signs are promising.
In her post-match press conference, Eta said: “First and foremost, I’m disappointed we lost the game. But I liked the way the boys went into it. We had good energy in training during the week, and we implemented lots of things we worked on. At the end of the day it’s about football, and that’s what I focused on.”
Captain Trimmel also shared his thoughts after the Wolfsburg game: “We have a new head coach and new tactics and objectives to implement. That’s not so easy either, but I think, all things considered, we did well."
Watch: Eta's reception on walking out at the Alten Försterei
The importance of Trimmel in Eta's tactical set-up was clear for all to see against Wolfsburg. While it remains to be seen whether her 3-4-1-2 formation will be utilised in future matches, the attacking threat posed by the 39-year-old, as well as Tom Rothe on the other wing, suggests it could be here to stay.
In Ansah, Andrej Ilić and Oliver Burke, the Berliners also have a trio of attackers who can hurt teams aerially, as well as on the counter. Burke, after all, is the fastest player in the Bundesliga this season, and he used his speed to great affect when scoring Union's consolation goal against Wolfsburg.
Next up for Eta is a daunting trip to RB Leipzig on Matchday 31, who are aiming to secure UEFA Champions League qualification. Hovering six points above the relegation play-off spot after Matchday 30, a win against Ole Werner's side would all but secure their status as a Bundesliga club for another season.
Based on what we saw from her first game, we can be certain that Union will have a go at Leipzig under Eta.
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