Union kicks off pre‑season and awaits Lustrinelli
The 1. FC Union Berlin opened summer training on 20 July 2026 at the Oberhaus. One half of the squad completed morning performance tests at the An‑der‑Alten‑Försterei stadium, the other was examined at the Charité sports medicine department. Mauro Lustrinelli is expected to address the public for the first time on Wednesday.
Who is already in the training camp?
New defensive signings Zeno van den Bosch (Royal Antwerpen) and Marvin Friedrich (Borussia Mönchengladbach) have already trained with the first team. Returning loanees include Marin Ljubicic (Fortuna Düsseldorf) and Chris Bedia (Young Boys Bern). Youth striker Mekhi Gray extended his contract, adding depth up front.
Which players are still absent?
International Rani Khedira (Tunisia), Laszlo Benes (Slovakia) and Andras Schäfer (Hungary) remain on holiday after World Cup or test‑match duties. Forward Dmytro Bogdanov is currently playing at the U‑19 World Cup in Wales for Ukraine.
What’s on the schedule?
Eleven friendlies are slated between 20 and 26 July, with two already set for the weekend: Saturday at 15:30 against Optik Rathenow and Sunday at 15:30 against Grün‑Weiß Lübben. Training opens to fans on Wednesday from 11:00.
Current season context
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| League position | 11th in Bundesliga |
| Points | 39 |
| Goals | 44 / 58 |
| Form | W W D L L |
| Gap to leaders | 50 points behind Bayern Munich |
Union must use the preparation period to address the shortcomings from the current campaign. The upcoming friendlies provide a platform to trial Lustrinelli’s new tactics and stabilise the recent dip in form.
What’s next?
After the public training session on Wednesday, fans will get their first glimpse of Lustrinelli’s approach. Further friendlies will then act as a barometer for the upcoming Bundesliga season. The squad hopes to start the autumn with fresh energy and clear directives.
