Robert Zulj has played an influential role in Union Berlin’s start to the second half of the season, with one goal and three assists in 2019. The 27-year-old Austrian-born attacking midfielder sat down with Christian Arbeit to discuss his start in Berlin-Köpenick and the development of the team under head coach Urs Fischer. The full interview is available (German) in our matchday magazine or on the club TV channel.

Christian: Robert, at the moment things are going well — also for you on a personal level. You joined us in the summer towards the end of the window. How would you describe the team’s development and your own so far?

Robert: I think it’s going steadily upwards and it is very positive. The new coach has brought in many new elements, which were also a big change for me personally. But I think we have developed step-by-step and are on the right track.

What would you say is the biggest difference to Hoffenheim, your previous club?

There are many differences. In the second division, you have more battles, you need to be involved more in long balls, whilst second balls are important. We don’t need to talk about the fact that the quality in the Bundesliga is higher as there were already some things I had to get used to. But I’d say that is now working well.

If you look at the last three games, you can see that the opening goal has come from a player who has been rotated into the team. Do you notice something like that yourself? And how come that when you start, all the lights are on, so to speak?

I didn’t notice that, but maybe that’s the coach's hand being strong. Every player on the pitch wants to give his best, score goals and give assists. I think everyone thrives when they are on the pitch, everyone wants to turn up the heat and maybe it’s just a bit of a coincidence that the fresh player always scores.

What’s also interesting, is that when you look at the 2-0 win in Kiel, the entire line behind Sebastian Andersson was replaced at the beginning, but at the end of it, you are all on the park. There’s an incredible amount of flexibility and quality there and you seem to have internalised that so much, that even if you don’t start, you can come in and sort it out for the team. Do you get along well with each other?

Yes, football is a team sport. You have to accept the coach’s decisions. You can’t be angry, but you have to show what you are capable of when you’re on the pitch. Every player has to accept that and I think we’ve done well so far. There’s always disappointments, but you have to deal with them. You’ve also become a football player to be there for the team when things don’t go well. That’s why we have a lot of respect for the guys: we do it well.

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We’ve already spoken a bit about the topic of rotation. People are asking more explicit questions. Do you have special things to deal with the disappointment? For example, if you saw yourself in the squad from the start, but then aren’t playing, maybe you go out with the dog, boxing or other activities?

No, I don’t really have anything to switch off. I’m convinced of myself and know that I’m an important player for the team. When the coach makes a decision, I have to accept that. It doesn’t help to be angry at all. I try to work every day to improve my weaknesses and become a better Robert Zulj. When the coach says on the weekend that Robert is coming on from the bench, that’s good.

It seems like you play very calmly and the team is comfortable. Not only on the bench, but around it. There’s no unrest, no excitement, which is what the coach radiates. In your career, you have already played under some experienced coaches. You also know the contrast between a very young boss in Hoffenheim to Urs Fischer, a very experienced one. What distinguishes Urs Fischer?

Every coach has their own characteristics, which make everyone special. Our trainer is very calm and laid back, but of course there are things that he is tough about. I’m of the opinion that there is nothing to panic about. You have to play the game your way, continue working and improve the next day. At the end of the day, I think this is how you will get far. I think that’s what our coach embodies and what makes our team tick. It’s a strength of his and of us.