Just in time for the kick-off, the sun also appeared over the Adi-Dassler-Stadion as the anthem of 1. FC Union Berlin played and the Eisernen opened the match. However, the first notable opportunity belonged to the third division team from Schweinfurt: After a free kick in a promising position, experienced set-piece specialist Johannes Geis stepped up – the former Bundesliga professional tried a direct shot. Union keeper Yannic Stein, however, was on hand to deflect the sharply taken ball over the crossbar (3.).

The opening phase was characterized by Berlin’s dominance in ball possession. In the 10th minute, it became dangerous for the first time when a precise ball set Tim Skarke up behind the last line. The offensive player advanced into the penalty area and aimed for the far corner, but a Schweinfurt player who had joined the attack cleared at the last moment with a block. Shortly thereafter, the Eisernen dangerously combined into the depths again: After a vertical pass, Oliver Burke turned on the turbo, sprinted past the defense, and crossed to Skarke. His direct shot from a central position was once again blocked by a S05 defender (21.).

After just over half an hour, Union recorded the biggest chance of the match up to that point. A set piece taken by captain Christopher Trimmel slipped through the Schweinfurt defense at the second post, where Alex Král had made a run. The Czech midfielder was visibly surprised by the ball and could not generate enough power on the shot from close range – Maximilian Weisbecker in goal for the “Schnüdel” was able to catch it securely (29.). In the 38th minute, homegrown player Andrik Markgraf also had a good opportunity: After a loss of possession by Schweinfurt, Union switched quickly, Oliver Burke pushed the attack forward before László Béneš crossed into the five-meter area with composure. Markgraf rose for a header, but once again a defender was there to prevent what could have been a goal. The first half ended with a scoreless match – no further notable chances occurred.

Only five minutes after the restart, Union sent the first offensive signal of the second half – and this came with a surprise element. A quickly taken free kick from their own half bypassed the Schweinfurt defense, the long ball was meant for Tim Skarke, but the rushing goalkeeper Maximilian Weisbäcker got to the ball first. The rebound fell to Marin Ljubičić, who aimed at the unguarded goal from a few meters behind the halfway line. However, his attempt from distance missed the target by several meters.

About an hour had been played when Schweinfurt threatened again in the final third. After a confusing scramble in the penalty area, Martin Thomann had a shot from a standstill, but Yannic Stein reacted well and deflected the ball with one hand for a corner. Shortly after, central defender Kevin Frisorger made a bold offensive move: with a beautiful backheel trick, he left Lucas Tousart behind in the penalty area and struck a volley from close range. Stein was once again on hand – with a quick reflex he prevented the deficit (60.).

In the 69th minute, Union had another good opportunity: new signing Ilyas Ansah threaded the ball through to David Preu, who ran alone towards the Schweinfurt goal. From a tight angle, he tried to place the ball past keeper Weisbäcker, but the goalkeeper managed to block the shot. In the final phase, the pace of the game noticeably slowed down – numerous substitutions interrupted the rhythm. In the 81st minute, the referee then took center stage: after a dribble in the penalty area, a Schweinfurt winger fell after slight contact – the referee awarded a penalty. Martin Thomann took responsibility and converted the penalty centrally, giving Schweinfurt the lead.

In stoppage time, it became dangerous again in front of the Schweinfurt goal: a cross from Josip Juranović was insufficiently cleared by the defense and landed in the back area with Ilyas Ansah. The offensive player took aim and shot low, but Maximilian Weisbäcker dove down and secured the narrow lead for the guests with a strong save. Shortly after, the referee ended the match in Herzogenaurach – Union had to concede defeat with 0-1 against the third division team from Schweinfurt.

“I am healthy again and have a good feeling. Therefore, I am very happy to have played today. The match itself was exhausting and not easy. We had chances, but we need to score more goals. That needs to be addressed in training,” said Wooyeong Jeong after the final whistle.

“A Friendly in the training camp is mainly there to draw lessons from the respective match. Today it was clear that not everything is working yet and in certain situations the freshness was lacking. This may be typical for a training camp, but we would have been happier with one more success,” added Leopold Querfeld afterwards.

“In the end, the opponent had two or three too many chances. We, on the other hand, were not consistent enough with our own opportunities. Overall, it was a normal and sensible friendly in which we also made good substitutions. In the first half, we did quite well, but after the break, the opponent had more control of the game,” is the analysis from head coach Steffen Baumgart after the duel.