2-0 To VfL
Union Lose Friendly in Wolfsburg
In their friendly on Thursday afternoon, 1. FC Union Berlin's men's team lost 2-0 to VfL Wolfsburg. The goals for the Autostadt club were scored by Besio just before half-time and Zehnter in the second half. Despite numerous chances, Union remained unfortunate in front of goal
1. FC Union Berlin: Raab – Trimmel (57., Blaszczak), Van den Bosch (46., M. Friedrich), Querfeld, Köhn (76., Shabany) - Haberer, Imeri - Ljubičić, Latte Lath (73., J. Friedrich) – Burke, Ilic (46., Gray)
VfL Wolfsburg: Wellenreuther (46., Pervan) – Hensl (78., Jewtschuk), Greger, Arnold, Zehnter – Gerhardt, Dárdai – Besio, Hornby (46., John), Reese (90., Zimmermann) - Glatzel (80., Danioko)
Attendance: 545
Goals: 1-0 Bresio (37.) 2-0 Zehnter (83.)
Union go a goal down, despite their own chances
Union started this match at the unobtrusive home of Wolfsburg's women's team, the Stadion am Allerpark, attacking. But the hosts quickly responded in kind, having their first chance in the penalty area in the second minute, but Matheo Raab in Union's goal was there to stop the danger. The first half was marked by many cturnover, challenges and duels, with consistent attacking sequences conspicuous by their absence.
Union's clean sheet remained intact until the 37th minute, when Alessio Besio scored for the hosts. After the ball was shifted to the right, the winger managed to get the better of Derrick Köhn and found the back of the net, inside the near post, from a sharp angle. Union continued to look for their chances and had opportunities, among others, through Andrej Ilic. Just before halftime, they created danger once more, but did not manage to score before the break.
Union in the ascendancy, but the hosts double their lead
The second half was marked by the many changes in personnel. Union now had far more of the ball, and Kastriot Imeri was only denied at the last by Pavao Pervan, who had come on for Timon Wellenreuther. Birthday boy Julien Friedrich was among those given vital playing time from the 73rd minute and constantly looked to take his opportunity, taking the ball on the run repeatedly.
Union were more than a match for their hosts, and couldnt have come closer to scoring without doing so. After a fine ball forwards from Imeri to Oliver Burke, the substitute Mekhi Gray found himself free, but couldn't get anything on his shot on goal. In the closing stages, Wolfsburg pushed once more for a second goal, and in the 83rd minute, Aaron Zehnter finally scored to make it 2-0 with a powerful shot. The scoreline remained.
Reactions after the game.
“I can't say for sure whether the first goal was deflected or not - it certainly looks unfortunate. It's good that it happened in a Friendly and not in an official match, but I need to take another look at it. We had a great Friendly opponent today, gave everything for 90 minutes with a thinner squad and many young players. And they did an outstanding job. That's what we need to build on. Of course, we need positive results in the coming weeks, but I'm confident about that. We need to stick to our strengths and train accordingly,” said Matheo Raab after the final whistle.
Mauro Lustrinelli added afterwards: “Today the priority was to accumulate playing time, like for Ilic or Blaszczak. It is important that they play to gain the necessary intensity. We put together a team from the players who were there. Of course, it's not nice to lose, but at the moment we simply have problems scoring goals.”
Outlook for the upcoming week:
After the Friendly in Lower Saxony, the professional men's team of 1. FC Union Berlin will take a three-day break before preparing for the next Bundesliga match. Next week, the national players will also return to the Alte Försterei, allowing the focus to be fully directed back to the league routine. On the 10th matchday of the Bundesliga, the Eisernen will host RasenBallsport Leipzig on Saturday, 21.11.2026, at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei. Kick off is at 15:30.