🧐 We’re not here to finish second: underdog captain speaks out | OneFootball

“We don’t play to come in second!”

Fabian Schulz is the captain of the Berlin Underdogs—and he dares to say what every team has set as their goal. Last year, the Berliners narrowly missed out in the semifinals; now, they’re aiming to go one step further.

Despite some departures, a united team is once again taking the field. Key players and even the coach have changed, but the team structure remains strong. In an exclusive interview, Schulz talks about the new squad, the missing player type, and the goals of the Underdogs.

From Loss to Opportunity

Schulz has played nearly 30 matches for the futsal national team. Thanks to the parallels between futsal and small-sided football, he sees a clear advantage:

“I know exactly which spaces I need to cover and which runs I need to make. That allows me to adapt to the game much faster.”

It’s no coincidence that many top teams in the Icon League rely on futsal players—Berlin City currently has five in their squad. That’s also where former Underdogs goalkeeper Antonio Brandt and coach Garrit Golombeck have moved.

Brandt was the player with the most assists last season and one of the best in the entire league. A tough loss. But Schulz is convinced: “We’ve found an equally strong replacement. I didn’t think it was possible, because for me Brandt was the best keeper in the Icon League.”

The new man is Haydar Bayram, and Schulz goes even further: “In some situations, he’s even better.”

On the sidelines now stands Majid Cirousse. A master motivator who maintains the existing system. “Every player gets freedom and is allowed to make mistakes,” Schulz explains. Tactical details are worked out together with the team. As a unit, the Underdogs try to make the most of their strengths. 

What’s still missing is a difference-maker. A dribbler who can decide games on his own. With Emanuele Giardini, Berlin lost exactly such a player to the Fokus Eagles. Ilja Cutura brings that quality, but is currently out injured.

Strengths and Weaknesses

What sets the Underdogs apart is their exceptional team chemistry. Everyone fights for each other, everyone gives their all. This unity was already their greatest strength last season. 

This cohesion is especially evident in their defensive work. “We have one of the best defensive lines in the league,” says Schulz. From this solid structure, they counterattack with ice-cold precision—recently, with success.

Their mental response after setbacks is also impressive. “After conceding a goal, we often show a strong reaction,” Schulz emphasizes. The team stays calm, mistakes are allowed, and there’s no bad atmosphere.

The 30-year-old sees room for improvement in their play with the ball: more composure in hectic phases, more creativity. That’s what the team wants to work on.

Big Goals

The goal is clear: the top 4. That would put them just one win away from the semifinals. The new final format makes things more complicated for teams in fifth to eighth place. If you still don’t fully understand the new final format—here you’ll find a clear explanation.

Currently, the Berliners are in sixth place. Only three points separate them from second place. That gap is to be closed.

Schulz sums it up: “We don’t play to come in second!”

He laughs—and adds: “I want the ring.” He means the championship ring for the title winner.

A sentence that says it all. Because anyone who has ever played knows: no one steps onto the field just to take part. The Underdogs want to win. And they have every chance to live up to their name.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.