Players

#	Name	Position	Height	Age	Profile
1	Benjamin Wolf	GK	175cm	Ü32
29	Benjamin Zirm	ST / Wing	160cm	Ü32	Small, fast
16	Björn Exler	CB / SB	185cm	Ü40	Big, strong, lefty, strong kick
2	Christoph Niebuhr	CB / SB	185cm	Ü40	Tall
24	Denis Ciato	SB / Wing	175cm	Ü32	Thin, fast, lefty, hard worker
30	Enrico Jakob (C)	CM / CB	180cm	Ü32	Stable, reliable, penalties
66	Henry Ehrhardt	CM / CB	180cm	Ü32	Tough, stable
22	Hiroshi Matoba	ST / Wing	175cm	Ü40	Thin, light, weak, fast, hardwork
17	Tom Kursawe	ST / CM	175cm	Ü40	Best striker and technician
9	Oleg Glushak	ST / Wing / CM	175cm	Ü32	Thin, technician
11	Matthias Neumann	ST	178cm	Ü40	Strong, scorer, target man

Match info

Date: Friday, March 13, 2026, 19:10

Venue: Stadion Altglienicke KR1, Alter Schönefelder Weg 20, 12524 Berlin (Kunstrasen)

Competition: 7er Senioren Ü32 Berlin-Liga (Verbandsliga), Matchday 14

Subs: Unlimited rolling substitutions

Opponent profile: see opponent_Altglienicke.md

Game Plan

Tactical Philosophy: CONTROLLED LOW BLOCK + CLINICAL COUNTERS

The last match was 4:3. We CANNOT afford another open shootout with a weakened, older squad away from home. Flip the script: make it ugly, frustrate them, —

Starting VII, Formation: 3-2-1

            Kursawe (17)
         [hold-up / finish]

    Ciato (24)      Glushak (9)
    [engine]        [creator]

  Exler (16)  Jakob (30)  Ehrhardt (66)
  [left CB]   [sweeper]   [right CB]
              [captain]

           Wolf (1)
           [GK]

Why this formation:

3 CBs cover the half-pitch width without sprinting laterally
Jakob (not 100% fit) plays sweeper/central CB: minimal running, maximum leadership
2 CMs (Ciato + Glushak) are the only players who MUST cover ground - both Ü32
Kursawe lone striker: holds the ball, links play, finishes chances
Compact shape = max 15-20m between lines

#	Player	Position	Role	Age	Key job
1	Wolf	GK	Sweeper-keeper	Ü32	Command box, sweep behind the 3 CBs, distribution to flanks
16	Exler	LCB	Stopper	Ü40	Hold left side, strong left-foot clearances, aerial presence (185cm)
30	Jakob	CCB	Sweeper/Captain	Ü32	Organize defense, read the game, cover behind Exler/Ehrhardt. MANAGE FITNESS - sub at 35-40’ if needed
66	Ehrhardt	RCB	Stopper	Ü32	Hold right side. Stay compact with Jakob and Exler. When Kubiak enters your zone, be physical and tight.
24	Ciato	RCM	Box-to-box	Ü32	Engine of the team. Fast, covers ground, wins ball, drives forward on counters. Defensive priority.
9	Glushak	LCM	Playmaker	Ü32	Picks passes, links midfield to Kursawe, takes corners from right side. Drifts left to create overloads.
17	Kursawe	ST	Target man	Ü40	Hold up play with back to goal, bring others into play, finish chances. Takes free kicks in shooting range.

Bench (rotation squad)

#	Player	Comes on for	When	Role when on
11	Neumann	Kursawe	~15’ (first rotation)	Primary striker rotation. Hold the ball up, be physical, win headers. Allows Kursawe to rest in 15-min blocks.
29	Zirm	Glushak or Kursawe	~25-30’	Pace on the counter. Small (160cm) but fast - runs behind defense
2	Niebuhr	Exler	~20-25’	Like-for-like CB rotation. Both 185cm Ü40. Keeps the back 3 fresh
22	Matoba (Hiroshi)	Ciato or Kursawe	Situational / 2nd half	Pace and pressing energy. As ST: run channels, press their CBs. As CM: cover ground, counter-attack threat. Late-game impact sub.

Substitution Rotation Plan

With 5 Ü40 players and unlimited rolling subs, we rotate aggressively to keep every player’s legs fresh. No one should play more than 35-40 minutes.

Halftime: Assess Jakob’s fitness. If struggling, switch to Plan B (see below).

Key principle: No Ü40 player stays on for more than 15-20 minutes at a stretch. Cycle Kursawe, Exler, Niebuhr, Matoba, Neumann in 15-min blocks.

Phase-by-Phase Plan

Phase 1: Survive (0-10 min) - CRITICAL

Altglienicke will come out aggressive at home, especially after losing 3:4 last time. In the previous match, they scored at 8’, 21’, 34’ - they start fast.

Deep block. Back 3 stays on the edge of the box.
Stay compact. Back 3 stays tight together, max 10m apart. No gaps between CBs. When Kubiak enters your zone, be physical - but don’t chase him out of position.
Slow press from the front 3 (ST + 2 CMs). No need to sprint - just close down the ball carrier enough to prevent precise crosses and centering kicks. Let them have the ball, but don’t give them time to pick out a pass into the box.
Wolf communicates constantly. Organizes the back 3, calls out runners.
Win the first tackle. Set the physical tone early. They had a red card and 8 yellows last time - they’ll be fired up. Stay calm, let them foul us.
Target: 0-0 at 10 minutes.

Phase 2: Counter Attack (PRIMARY GOAL THREAT, 10-25 min each half)

Counters are how we score. Once we survive the opening:

Transition is everything. When we win the ball:
1. First look: direct ball to Kursawe (or whoever is ST)
2. ST holds up, waits for ONE runner (Ciato or Glushak)
3. 2v2 or 2v3 - quick combination, shoot or win a free kick
4. MAX 3 players forward. Back 3 + GK NEVER leave their positions.
Draw fouls in the attacking half. Kursawe is technical enough to draw contact. Every free kick in their half is dangerous in 7er football. With 14 yellows already, their players will be cautious - exploit this.
On the ball: Short passes between the 3 CBs + 2 CMs to draw them out. When they press, hit the long ball over the top for Ciato/Matoba/Zirm to chase.

Phase 3: OPTION: SURPRISE ATTACK (~35’, 5 min into 2nd half)

Concept: For 35 minutes we play slow, compact, boring football. Altglienicke gets comfortable. Their legs stop. Their heads switch off. Then at ~35’ we flip a switch: full press, fast tempo, quick passing, runs in behind, create CHAOS.

Speed player pool for the surprise attack (pick 2 from the bench): - Zirm - fast, runs behind defense - Ciato - fast, lefty, hard worker, covers ground - Matoba - fast, pressing, runs channels, hard worker - Kursawe - best technique, accelerates the passing tempo

Atze picks whichever 2 are on the bench at that moment. The key is: fresh legs + pace + energy = tempo shock.

How Atze triggers it - 3 options:

Option A: Double or TRIPLE substitution (RECOMMENDED - clearest signal) Atze sends on 2 or even 3 speed players from the pool above at once. A triple sub is the ultimate shock - half the outfield changes in one go. Everyone on the pitch sees fresh legs come on = they KNOW it’s go time. No shouting needed. No confusion. The substitution IS the trigger. Altglienicke sees 2-3 fresh guys and has zero time to adjust.

Option B: Code word Atze shouts a pre-agreed word: “JETZT!” (or “TEMPO!”) Works if the speed players are already on the pitch (e.g. subbed on earlier). Risk: players might not hear, or opponent picks up on it.

Option C: Combination (BEST) Double sub at ~35’ + Atze shouts “JETZT!” as they step on. Double signal = zero confusion.

What changes during the surprise attack (35’-40’):

Aspect	Before (0-35’)	Surprise attack (35’-40’)
Pressing	No press, let them have the ball	FULL PRESS from front. Speed players hunt the ball.
Tempo	Slow, controlled	One-touch, quick combinations, run and move
Shape	Deep block, compact	Push up 10-15m. Squeeze them into their half.
Counters	Wait, then pass to striker	Immediate vertical balls. Run behind instantly.
Intensity	Energy saving, 60%	100% for 5-7 minutes. Sprint, press, shoot.

Why it works against Altglienicke: - 14 yellows = they panic under pressure and make rash tackles - They collapse when pressed hard (0:7 vs Empor, 2:5 vs Concordia) - After 35 min of slow play, their defenders will be flat-footed - Small, fast players are hard to track when the tempo suddenly jumps

Exit strategy: After 5-7 minutes (~40’-42’), if we haven’t scored, Atze shouts “ZURÜCK!” (back). Return to low block. Don’t burn out.

Phase 4: Game Management

If leading: - Slow every restart. GK takes time on goal kicks. - Keep ball in corners. Kursawe/Glushak good enough to hold possession. - Bring on Neumann as a second striker to hold the ball up physically. - Sub fresh defenders (Niebuhr/Exler rotation) to keep the wall solid. - NEVER chase a second/third goal by opening up.

If level (0-0 or 1-1) after 50’: - Push to 2-3-1: Move Ciato into the back line, push Glushak higher. - Bring on Zirm + Matoba together for maximum pace up front. - Go more direct: long balls for Zirm/Matoba to run onto. - Set pieces become even more important - put EVERYONE in the box.

If behind: - Don’t panic before 45’. Altglienicke have blown leads in 4 games (draws). - Switch to 2-3-1: Remove one CB (Exler), add Zirm or Matoba for pace. - Push Jakob into midfield (he can pick passes under pressure). - Neumann + Kursawe together as two physical strikers. - Matoba as a running midfielder to support them. - Go direct, win free kicks, put bodies in the box.

Plan B: If Jakob Can’t Continue

If Enrico’s injury flares up and he can’t play (or needs extended rest):

          Kursawe (17)

    Ciato (24)      Glushak (9)

  Exler (16)  Ehrhardt (66)  Niebuhr (2)

           Wolf (1)

Ehrhardt becomes captain and central CB.
Niebuhr comes in as RCB.
Lose Enrico’s delivery quality but defense remains solid.
Ciato takes over as the defensive leader in midfield.

Dead Ball Assignments

Situation	Taker	Notes
Corners from right	Enrico (right foot)	In-swinging to near post
Corners from left	Exler (left foot) or Enrico	Exler’s strong left = dangerous
Central free kicks (shooting)	Kursawe	Best technique
Wide free kicks	Enrico	Reliable delivery
Penalties	Enrico	Scored one at 3’ in the last match
Goal kicks	Wolf	Short to CBs, NOT long
Throw-ins attacking third	Quick throws to create overloads

Individual Assignments vs Altglienicke

Player	Defensive duty	Attacking duty
Wolf	Sweep behind CBs, command the box, vocal	Short distribution to CBs only. No risky kicks.
Exler	Hold left CB position. Win aerial duels.	Strong clearances with left foot. Deliver corners with left foot.
Jakob	Central sweeper. Organize Ehrhardt + Exler. Read danger.	Set piece delivery. Pick long passes to Kursawe on counters.
Ehrhardt	Hold RCB position. Stay compact with Jakob + Exler. Be physical when Kubiak is in your zone.	Go up for corners if opportunity arises.
Ciato	Screen in front of back 3. Win the ball. Track runners.	Drive forward on counters. Pace to support striker. Pick up second balls at edge of box.
Glushak	Press from front alongside striker.	Creator. Find Kursawe with through balls. Take corners. Shoot from distance.
Kursawe	Press GK on goal kicks (light press, save energy).	Hold up, link play, finish. Draw fouls. Free kicks.
Matoba	When on as ST: high press, run channels, chase lost causes. When on as CM: cover ground, defensive energy.	Pace on counter. Run behind defense. Drag CBs out of position.
Zirm	Same as Matoba - pressing and energy.	Fastest player. Run the channels. Stretch their back line.
Niebuhr	Like-for-like CB rotation for Exler. Hold position.	Go up for corners (185cm).
Neumann	When on: physical presence in the box.	Target man. Win headers. Hold ball up. Shoot on sight.

Pre-Match Checklist

Warm up properly (especially Ü40: Exler, Kursawe, Neumann, Niebuhr, Matoba)
Everyone briefed on Kubiak: know his number and face. When he’s in your zone, be tight and physical.
Agree on sub rotation timing - designate someone on bench to track the clock
Wolf and Jakob agree on defensive line height
Enrico tests his fitness in warm-up - decide on Plan A or Plan B before kickoff
Remind everyone: STAY CALM. They have 14 yellows. Don’t retaliate. Draw fouls. Let the referee punish them.
Optional: Discuss throw-in routines in attacking third
Optional: Agree who takes corners and free kicks

Target Result

Scenario	Probability	Approach
Win 1-0 or 2-1	Primary target	Low block, counter goals, hold the lead
Draw 0-0 or 1-1	Acceptable fallback	Still a point, keeps distance in the table
Win 3-2+	Possible but risky	Only if the game opens up naturally

Key number: Concede 0-1 goals. The last match was 4:3 - this time we cannot concede 3.

One-line summary

“Stay compact, stay disciplined, kill them on the counter. We don’t need to be pretty - we need 3 points.”