Start of training camp: 1:1 against Winterthur: Union win for the third time in a row

The Bundesliga club 1. FC Union Berlin remained winless in their third consecutive pre-season match after drawing 1-1 with Swiss second-division side FC Winterthur. The game took place on July 17, 2026, during the team’s training camp in Switzerland. New head coach Mauro Lustrinelli’s squad failed to secure a victory, continuing a trend of early-season struggles. The match was played before a crowd of 5,100 spectators. Union started with a mix of senior players and young talents, but the lineup saw several changes due to injuries and international call-ups. Goalkeeper Frederik Rönnow was absent because of a leg injury, while midfielders Robert Skov, Andrik Markgraf, Stanley Nsoki, and Mekhi Gray were also sidelined for similar reasons. Defender Tim Skarke received a rest, while forwards Rani Khedira and Dmytro Bogdanov were unavailable following participation in the World Cup with Tunisia and the European Under-19 Championship with Ukraine, respectively. The first half saw Union play with their senior squad for the initial 65 minutes. In the 57th minute, Yannis Odin opened the scoring for Winterthur, giving the visitors the lead. Just three minutes later, Union equalized through a penalty awarded to Aljoscha Kemlein, the team’s captain. The goal came after a foul in the box, which referee officials deemed worthy of a spot-kick. Earlier in the match, Josip Juranovic had hit the crossbar with a shot from distance, failing to find the net. After the break, Union largely fielded under-19 players, though there were exceptions. In the 43rd minute, forward Oliver Burke left the pitch due to a left-foot injury, prompting the premature introduction of Oskar Engel. Later in the game, Luka Vulin exited with a foot injury in the 78th minute. Goalkeeper Carl Klaus remained in the match throughout, making several saves to keep the scoreline level. Despite the draw, the result highlights ongoing challenges for Union in their preparations ahead of the new Bundesliga season. The team will continue its training camp in Switzerland, with the next friendly set against FC Aarau, another second-division club. This fixture is scheduled for Saturday at 4 p.m. local time. It is expected that more experienced players such as Christopher Trimmel, Tom Rothe, and Leopold Querfeld, who trained with the squad in Winterthur, will take part in this upcoming match rather than being rested. The outcome of the match underscores the difficulties faced by Union in securing results during the pre-season. With key players missing due to injuries or international commitments, the team has struggled to maintain consistency. As the club prepares for the competitive demands of the Bundesliga, the results so far suggest a need for improved cohesion and performance in both training and matches. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether Union can build momentum heading into the regular season.