and 1
FC Union won a dress rehearsal for the start of the competitive match in 2021/22.
Berlin’s Bundesliga club defeated Spanish top-flight club Athletic Bilbao somewhat happily with a score of 2:1 (0:1) in a Test match. The match in front of 8000 spectators at An der Alten Försterei Stadium was coach Urs Fischer’s last chance to experience some personal and tactical variables ahead of the first round of the DFB Cup on August 8 at third-tier club Türkgücü Munich. Al-Ittihad remained undefeated in all five preparation matches.
The Spaniards, who finished 10th in the standings last season, took the lead in the 31st minute thanks to Alex Berenguer. Also because Bilbao missed some chances, Union managed to turn the game around in the second half with two goals from substitutes Genki Haraguchi (71) and Timo Baumgartel (81).
In the starting line-up, coach Urs Fischer offered four out of the 11 new deals with Rani Khedira, Andreas Vogelsamer, Taiwo Owenyi and Timozis Boschacks. New goalkeeper Frederic Ronaud made his debut in the Al-Ittihad shirt in the second period. After a year-long hiatus due to injury, striker Anthony Uga celebrated his comeback in the final stages.
Strikers Max Kroos and Cedric Teuchert, who in the meantime returned from Tokyo after the elimination of the German Olympic team, were present at the official presentation of the professionals, coaches and supervisors before the match. However, the duo was not used due to the stress of travel.
© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210731-99-640886 / 2 (dpa)