Union Berlin battles to a 1-1 draw in summer friendly vs Chemnitzer FC
The 1. FC Union Berlin played a tight duel in its third pre‑season test on July 24 2026, ending 1:1 after regular time (1:0 at halftime). Marin Ljubicic scored in the 25th minute with a heel finish from Andrej Ilic, while Jonas Marx equalised for the fourth‑tier side in the 77th minute. Union currently sits 11th in the Bundesliga with 39 points, 10 wins, 9 draws and 15 losses from 34 games – a sign of the upcoming season.
What happened in the friendly?
The match started with a slight delay as Union got stuck in traffic. Coach Mauro Lustrinelli used 22 players in the first half and swapped the entire lineup at halftime. An early knee issue for Andrik Markgraf forced Lustrinelli to bring on Leopold Querfeld in the 62nd minute, who had already featured earlier. The game finished level, revealing both the attacking spark and defensive frailties of the Berlin side.
Why the result matters for Union
A 1:1 draw against a fourth‑tier team does not give a clear verdict on form, but it sheds light on squad depth. The current league tally of 44 goals scored and 58 conceded (‑14 goal difference) shows the defence still needs work. Moreover, Union sits 50 points behind Bayern München, the league leaders, adding pressure to improve during preparation. The friendly also offers a chance to monitor injured players and test new talent.
What comes next?
On Sunday, July 28 2026, Union will meet another Regionalliga Nordost opponent at 15:30 CET: FC Carl Zeiss Jena. There, the team will be coached again by Marco Grote, who previously led Union’s U19 and briefly the senior squad. This reunion provides an opportunity to tweak tactics and boost player fitness ahead of the Bundesliga campaign.
