In icy temperatures, former Unioner Jens Härtel's side threatened early. After about four minutes, the ball slipped towards the far post following a corner, where Boris Tashchy volleyed just wide. Five minutes later, however, Union opened their account for 2026. Aljoscha Kemlein scored after an assist from Oliver Burke from the edge of the penalty area, calmly placing it in the bottom right corner, giving Union's head coach Steffen Baumgart a late birthday gift with the 1-0 lead. 

Buoyed, Union took control of the game and created several chances with both Burke and his striking partner Andrej Ilić, denied by the Aue keeper in the 22nd and 24th minutes respectively. However, the biggest opportunity for 2-0 fell to center-back Leopold Querfeld, who ran free on goal after winning a high ball but his sot only hit the outside of the post in the 28th minute. 

By the 45th minute, the Veilchen had managed to create one or two half-chances, but neither Frederik Rönnow nor substitute Matheo Raab were seriously tested. Just before the break, Raab distinguished himself when, after a long ball over the top of his defence, Julian Günther-Schmidt appeared free in front of the Union keeper but was thwarted by the number 31. Six minutes before the end of the first half, the guests' set-piece strength was again evident when Diogo Leite set up Burke after a corner, and the Scot made it 2-0. Kemlein hit the post again with the hour mark looming.

The numerous substitutions on both sides led to a somewhat disjointed start to the second half, with much of the action taking place in midfield and clear goal-scoring opportunities notable only through their absense. In the 69th minute, following a set piece from Josip Juranović, Stanley Nsoki came close, but his header landed in the arms of the Aue goalkeeper. 

It took nearly twenty minutes before the South Korean Wooyeong Jeong caused a murmur in the Erzgebirgsstadion when he cut in from the outside, but his shot was too central to trouble the keeper (86.). Shortly after, the hosts had a great chance to pull one back, but Carl Klaus managed to deflect Luis Pohlenz's powerful shot from close range over the crossbar (88.). 

The match had already reached the 102nd minute when Union started an attack through Josip Juranović, looking for Wooyeong Jeong in the penalty area. Via some detours, the ball reached Mekhi Gray, whose shot towards the top corner was again saved. Aue then had several attempts at the other end, but were often thwarted by a rigorous Union defence. Eventually, however, Maximilian Schmid deflected the ball over the line from close range to make it 2-1 in the 108th minute. 

“It wasn't quite so easy today with these temperatures. But we know that these games are important for preparation. Ultimately, we achieved our goal and all players got their minutes. That's important, as there isn't much time left until the Bundesliga," concluded András Schäfer after the final whistle.

“Both teams had plenty of chances, we ourselves had numerous and good opportunities, especially in the first half. It is important that we complete such tests, because if you haven’t played for a while, you need to regain the routines. A big thank you also goes to Aue and the fans, who made this game possible today,” is the analysis of head coach Steffen Baumgart after the match.