Union Berlin loses friendly in Jena 0:2 and fears for Hessel

Kick-off had previously been delayed by 30 minutes because the Berlin team arrived late in Jena due to a traffic jam. Union had already been late for the previous friendly against Chemnitzer FC for the same reason. For the match in Jena, Union's head coach Mauro Lustrinelli deployed a back four in defence.

Changes and personnel: Munser promoted from the U19

As in the previous pre-season friendlies, Union changed the entire team at half-time. A total of 22 players were used. From the club's own U19, 18-year-old Emilio Munser was also promoted to the senior squad. In the second half, Union's reserve goalkeeper Til Härting prevented a possible equaliser in the 67th minute with a save from a well-struck free kick.

The final decision came in the 83rd minute: Kevin Lankford fired from a half-left position and struck from 14 metres into the near corner to make it 2-0. Jena, who had finished second in the Regionalliga Nordost last season, thus celebrated a successful appearance for their own season opener.

Jena celebrates Grote's home debut

For the hosts, the match was also the home debut of their new head coach Marco Grote. Grote had previously worked in various Union youth teams and had also temporarily managed the Bundesliga professionals there before moving to Jena.

Concerns about Hessel: Another knee injury at Union

The main shadow over the friendly from a Berlin perspective was the injury to Maxim Hessel. The centre-back sustained what appears to be a serious knee injury in a late challenge. This further worsens the personnel situation in central defence, after Andrik Markgraf had already been ruled out following a serious knee injury from the friendly against Chemnitz.

Outlook: Two friendlies in Switzerland

Union faces an intense trip to Switzerland after the fourth pre-season match. On Friday at 19:00, the team will face FC Winterthur in Switzerland; the Berliners have two more friendlies scheduled in Switzerland before the competitive season begins.