Overview
Lars Unnerstall, born on July 20, 1990, in Ibbenbüren, Germany, is a professional football goalkeeper recognized for his significant stature and commanding presence in goal. Standing at 1.98 meters (6 ft 6 in), he possesses the physical attributes often associated with modern goalkeepers—reach, aerial dominance, and a broad frame to cover the goal. Unnerstall has established a notable career primarily in German and Dutch football, evolving from a promising youth talent into a consistent performer at the senior level.
Position
As a goalkeeper, Unnerstall’s primary role involves protecting his team's goal. This encompasses shot-stopping, particularly from close range and long shots, organizing the defensive line, and commanding his penalty area during set pieces and crosses. His height provides a clear advantage in aerial duels and when claiming high balls, an essential aspect of goalkeeping in contemporary football.
Identity
Unnerstall's football identity can be characterized as a traditional, reliable shot-stopper with strong command of his box. While modern goalkeeping increasingly emphasizes distribution and playing out from the back, Unnerstall's core strengths lie in his ability to make crucial saves and his physical dominance in aerial situations. He is often seen as a calming influence on his defense, communicating effectively to maintain structure and repel opposition attacks.
Career path
Lars Unnerstall's professional journey began in Germany before extending into a significant spell in the Netherlands. His development through youth academies laid the groundwork for his senior career.
Youth and Early Career
Unnerstall started his youth career at various local clubs, including TuS Brecklesheim and Grün-Weiß Steinbeck, before joining the academy of FC Schalke 04 in 2008. He progressed through the ranks, featuring for the club's reserve team, Schalke 04 II, in the Regionalliga West. His performances caught the eye, leading to his promotion to the senior squad.
Schalke 04 (2010–2014)
Unnerstall made his senior debut for Schalke 04 in 2011, making his Bundesliga debut in April 2011 against SV Werder Bremen. He also featured in European competitions for the Gelsenkirchen club. During his time at Schalke, he competed for the starting spot with other goalkeepers and gained valuable experience in a top-tier European league. He remained with the club until 2014, including a loan spell. During his tenure, he made 29 appearances in the Bundesliga and 10 in the UEFA Europa League and Champions League combined, according to Transfermarkt data.
Loan Spells and Fortuna Düsseldorf (2014–2017)
In 2014, Unnerstall was loaned to FC Aarau in Switzerland, making 17 appearances before returning to Germany. He subsequently moved to Fortuna Düsseldorf in 2014, initially on loan, before making the move permanent in 2015. At Düsseldorf, he became a more established first-team player in the 2. Bundesliga, accumulating 50 appearances across all competitions over three seasons, as detailed by Transfermarkt.
VVV-Venlo and PSV Eindhoven (2017–2021)
His career took him to the Netherlands in 2017, joining VVV-Venlo in the Eredivisie. His strong performances there, where he made 69 appearances, led to a transfer to Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven in 2019. At PSV, Unnerstall contributed to the team's domestic campaigns and European runs, including 26 appearances in the Eredivisie and 6 in the Europa League for PSV, according to Transfermarkt statistics.
FC Twente (2021–Present)
In 2021, Unnerstall moved to FC Twente, where he quickly established himself as a key player. He has been a consistent presence in goal for Twente in the Eredivisie, playing a pivotal role in their recent successes and European qualifications. His experience and leadership have been vital for the club.
Playing style
Lars Unnerstall's playing style is rooted in traditional goalkeeping strengths, augmented by his imposing physical attributes. He is primarily known for his shot-stopping ability and commanding presence in the penalty area.
Shot-Stopping
Unnerstall excels at making saves, particularly reacting quickly to close-range efforts and demonstrating good reflexes. His large frame allows him to cover a significant portion of the goal, making him a difficult goalkeeper to beat in one-on-one situations. Data from platforms like FBref often highlights his save percentage and ability to prevent goals, indicating his effectiveness in this key area.
Aerial Command and Crosses
At 1.98 meters, Unnerstall is particularly strong in dealing with aerial threats. He is adept at coming off his line to claim crosses, corner kicks, and free-kicks, thereby relieving pressure on his defense. His decision-making in these situations is generally sound, and he uses his height and reach to punch or catch the ball effectively. This makes him a significant asset in defending set pieces.
Distribution
While not a 'sweeper-keeper' in the mould of some modern goalkeepers who are heavily involved in their team's build-up play, Unnerstall is competent with his distribution. He typically opts for safe, accurate passes to defenders or long clearances to launch counter-attacks when appropriate. His focus remains on security and minimizing risk, rather than intricate passing patterns from the back.
Leadership and Organization
Unnerstall is a vocal presence in goal, constantly communicating with his defenders to organize the backline, mark opponents, and maintain defensive shape. His experience at various clubs has instilled in him a leadership quality that benefits his team's defensive solidity. His steady temperament contributes to a calm and composed defense.
Comparable goalkeepers in terms of physical stature and shot-stopping focus might include figures like previous generations of German goalkeepers known for their reliability, though modern comparisons within the Eredivisie often highlight his consistent performances against expected goals conceded metrics, as tracked by statistical providers such as Sofascore.
Achievements & honours
Lars Unnerstall has accumulated several team honours during his career, particularly during his time with Schalke 04 and PSV Eindhoven.
Club Honours
| Club | Competition | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Schalke 04 | DFB-Pokal | 2010–11 |
| Schalke 04 | DFL-Supercup | 2011 |
| PSV Eindhoven | KNVB Cup | 2021–22 |
| PSV Eindhoven | Johan Cruyff Shield | 2021 |
With Schalke 04, Unnerstall was part of the squad that won the DFB-Pokal in the 2010–11 season, a significant achievement in German club football. The team also secured the DFL-Supercup in 2011, defeating Borussia Dortmund. These early career triumphs provided him with valuable experience in winning major silverware.
Later in his career, during his tenure with PSV Eindhoven, Unnerstall contributed to the team's success in Dutch competitions. He was a member of the squad that lifted the KNVB Cup in the 2021–22 season. Furthermore, PSV also won the Johan Cruyff Shield in 2021, marking another domestic honour for the goalkeeper. While at PSV, he also gained experience in the UEFA Europa League, contributing to their European campaigns, as recorded by UEFA's official site.
International career
Lars Unnerstall has represented Germany at various youth levels but has not earned a senior cap for the Germany national football team.
Youth International Appearances
Unnerstall featured for the Germany U20 national team, making appearances in friendly matches during the 2010-2011 period. These youth international experiences provided him with exposure to international football environments and allowed him to compete against developing talents from other nations. Playing at the U20 level is a stepping stone for many professional footballers, offering a platform to showcase their abilities on a wider stage and gain experience in different tactical setups.
Absence from Senior Squad
Despite a consistent club career in both the Bundesliga and Eredivisie, Unnerstall has faced significant competition for a place in the senior Germany squad. Germany has historically produced a wealth of high-quality goalkeepers, with figures like Manuel Neuer, Marc-André ter Stegen, and Kevin Trapp often occupying the national team berths during Unnerstall's prime years. This intense competition has meant that, despite his reliable performances at club level, he has not been called up for senior international duty.
His focus has therefore remained predominantly on his club career, where he has been able to establish himself as a dependable first-choice goalkeeper for multiple teams, including his current club, FC Twente. The demand for goalkeepers at the highest international level requires not only top-tier club performance but often a specific profile that aligns with the national team's tactical philosophy, which can be challenging to meet in a nation with such goalkeeping depth, as frequently observed in FIFA's national team records.
What makes Lars Unnerstall stand out
Lars Unnerstall stands out primarily due to his imposing physical presence and his consistency as a traditional, reliable shot-stopper. His 1.98-meter height is a significant asset, allowing him to dominate his penalty area and effectively deal with aerial balls, which is crucial in systems that face many crosses and set-pieces. This command of the box provides a calming influence on his defense, reducing the number of dangerous second balls. His ability to make crucial saves, particularly in high-pressure situations, underscores his value as a last line of defense.
Furthermore, Unnerstall's extensive experience across different leagues, including the Bundesliga, Eredivisie, and European competitions, has honed his decision-making skills and positional awareness. He is not a keeper known for flashy saves but rather for his efficiency and fundamental soundness. His leadership from the back, constantly organizing his defenders, is another unheralded trait that contributes significantly to team stability.
"Lars gives us security at the back, he's a reliable presence with a strong command of his area."