Union Berlin 2026/27 preview: Lustrinelli’s test after Eta milestone, transfers, pre-season and predicted XI | OneFootball

Mauro Lustrinelli takes charge at Union Berlin after a landmark spring and a testing pre-season. According to BuLi News, the Swiss arrives from FC Thun after delivering the club’s first Swiss title.

Steffen Baumgart was sacked in April after two wins in 14. Marie-Louise Eta, the first woman to manage in a top five men’s league, ended with two wins to secure 11th.

Pre-season brought two wins from nine, including 12-2 Rathenow and 3-2 Aris Limassol, with four defeats and three draws.

Union opened with a 4-2 DFB-Pokal win at Eintracht Braunschweig, twice coming from behind. Tom Rothe levelled at 2-2 before a Marin Ljubičić brace sealed Lustrinelli’s first competitive victory.

Doekhi and Leite left on frees, Kral departed, with Bénes and Bedia sold. Ilyas Ansah is reportedly close to a Premier League move, and it remains to be seen whether they will replace him.

Nsoki’s €1.5m option was taken, Friedrich returned, Van Den Bosch arrived free and Uduokhai signed from Besiktas for a reported fee. Aebischer joined from Pisa and Latte Lath on loan, with spending focused on infrastructure, including stadium work.

Predicted XI, 4-2-2-2: Raab; Juranović, Querfeld, Van Den Bosch, Rothe; Kemlein, Khedira; Jeong, Burcu; Latte Lath, Ljubičić. Centre-back rotation is likely, and Burke, Ilić, Nsoki and Friedrich are unavailable.

A new system, possible late exits and a patchy pre-season could make the start awkward. Union may linger in the lower half yet should have enough to stay clear, with the promoted pair and perhaps others beneath them.

Source: BuLi News

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