“Psychologically building the Union”
The match organizers could hardly have made the debut of new Union coach Nenad Bjelica much more difficult. First the difficult journey until the Champions League match against the best Portuguese team SC Braga on Wednesday, then the rather thankless participation in the Bundesliga at FC Bayern Munich. But before his debut on the Berlin bench, Bjelica naturally says what the coaches say: “We want to play these games successfully and eventually win. And that’s how every game will play out. That’s why I think now was the right time to get involved.
While the 52-year-old is currently working hard to put Köpenick back on the path to success, « Sport Bild » magazine reported on Wednesday about two secret clauses in the Croatian’s contract, initially dated until 2025. This is expected to include a non-relegation bonus of 100,000 euros, and the working document will be automatically extended for one year if the team manages to stay in the league.
With Volland and Gosens: Union Berlin’s most expensive additions
Union coach Bjelica wants to ‘build the team psychologically’
“We certainly don’t have much time to make major changes before Wednesday and Saturday,” the nine-time Croatia international said of the tasks ahead, “but I’m going to get a feel for the team. « The team has, what it can do. » After almost 100 days of suffering, the capital club’s hope of wintering on the international stage shines again. With a victory in Braga, the Union can keep a chance to continue in the Europa League in the spring.
Club comparison
126.20 million euros
Market value
189.65 million euros
17.80 million euros
Numbers 23/24
32.00 million euros
Arthur Jorge
Coach
Nenad Bjelica
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For what remains the weakest team in Europe’s top 5 (in terms of statistics), it would be the first complete success since August 26 with a 4-1 victory at Darmstadt 98 on the second day of the Bundesliga, that the Berliners finished in first place. Three months later, the Berliners are yearning for an end to the sadness with a total of 15 competitive matches without a victory. Earning a point in the 1-1 draw against FC Augsburg last Saturday gave the players some confidence, even if the hoped-for victory did not materialize again.
Despite the short time left before the match in the north of Portugal, Bjelica, former Bundesliga player of 1. FC Kaiserslautern, wants to mentally stimulate the players again: « We want to try to psychologically strengthen the team and the confidence in itself which has disappeared. » Fear, with According to his own statements, Bjelica, who was under contract with Trabzonspor in the Turkish Premier League until October, does not yet have two defeats for his new commitment.
In Braga, however, the coach will have to do without defender Danilho Doekhi and striker Sheraldo Becker. Becker’s loss particularly hurts, as the striker scored both of Berlin’s goals in the first leg to give Berlin a 2-0 lead. In the end, the Union lost 3-2 with a goal in stoppage time, their sixth consecutive defeat.
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