Union Berlin edge past Aris in friendly test
Union Berlin saw off Aris 3:2 in a Club Friendly on Saturday evening, bringing an end to a run of mixed results for the German side. The visitors had been unbeaten in three of their last five friendlies before this one, while the hosts showed signs of finding their rhythm after a heavy defeat to Carl Zeiss Jena.
And here's the thing about friendlies — you don't always get the full picture from ninety minutes. Union Berlin's recent form had been uneven: a draw with Cagliari, losses to Dynamo Dresden and Aron, and that 2:0 hammering at home to Jena. Aris came in with two consecutive 1:0 defeats but had bounced back with a 2:0 win over Legia Warsaw.
To be fair, the scoreline tells only part of the story. Three goals for Union Berlin against two for Aris suggests something worked in their final preparations. The hosts had struggled to score consistently — only one goal in their last three friendlies — while Aris had been tight at the back in their most recent outings.
By then, both managers would have been taking notes rather than celebrating. Union Berlin's defence looked vulnerable against Jena, and Aris had barely tested Cagliari or Dynamo Dresden in attack. This match offered more movement than their previous outings.
The result leaves Union Berlin with a positive note heading into their competitive campaign, while Aris will carry the question of whether their defensive solidity can hold against higher-calibre opposition. Both sides now turn their attention to what matters come September.