48 %
Possession
52 %
Ticker
Türkgücü München vs 1. FC Union Berlin
German DFB Pokal, Round 1
Türkgücü vs 1. FC Union
German DFB Pokal, Round 1
Sun., 08. August 2021, 15:30 Uhr
0
:
1
Kruse goal sends Union into second round
Match report
Max Kruse's 23rd-minute goal has sent 1. FC Union Berlin into the second of the DFB Pokal. The Union number 10 scored in the first half to secure a 1-0 win over Türkgücü München.
The returning Olympian fired the all-important goal at the Grünwalder-Stadion to book Union's place in the next round as competitive action got underway.
Türkgücü München: Vollath; Kühn (Hottmann 83), Rieder, Mavraj, Hertner (Römling 45); Chato (Karweina 83), Kehl-Gomez (Kusic 31), Irving; Türpitz (Sliskovic 67), Vrenezi, Sararer
1. FC Union Berlin: Luthe; Friedrich, Knoche, Baumgartl; Trimmel, Gießelmann (Haraguchi 84), Khedira, Andrich; Voglsammer (Ingvartsen 74), Kruse (Ryerson 84), Awoniyi (Behrens 65)
Urs Fischer's first line-up of the competitive season included three new faces – Timo Baumgartl, Rani Khedira and Andreas Volgsammer – while Max Kruse made his first appearance after returning from the Olympic Games in Tokyo. Taiwo Awoniyi started in attack for Union after turning his successful loan spell in Köpenick into a permanent one, completing a transfer from Liverpool. While other German Cup matches have lived up to the hype this weekend, this contest at the Grünwalder Stadion lacked an edge early on. Türkgücü were unable to knock on Andreas Luthe's goal other than a long-range strike from Sercan Sararer that went a few metres over the bar. It took the Bundesliga side 23 minutes to piece together the best bit of football of the day. It started from Awoniyi's relentless pressure on Chato who gave up possession. The Nigerian switched the ball into Kruse who fired home from close range. On 31 minutes, Türkgücü were forced into a change after Marco Kehl-Gomez limped on with a knee problem. The imposing defensive midfielder was replaced by Filip Kusic who moved into the back four of the home side. Four minutes after the restart, Union combined up the park excellently again with Niko Gießelmann cutting the ball back to Kruse whose rasping drive was an inch or two past the post.
All roads lead back to the Stadion An der Alten Försterei. On Saturday August 14 (15:30), Urs Fischer's side will kick off the new Bundesliga season at home to Bayer Leverkusen.
Union face first round tie in Munich
Match preview
Urs Fischer's side begin their campaign in earnest on Sunday with a first-round match in the DFB Pokal at Türkgücü München.
Union will kick-off at the Gründwalder Stadion for the 2021/22 campaign at 15:30 local time.
Türkgücü München: Opposition Check
The ambitious third-division club have held their own in professional football in Germany following recent promotions. After finishing 13th last season, Türkgücü are looking to build a challenge for promotion to the 2.Bundesliga. Head coach Petr Ruman has watched his side collect two points from the first two weeks, including a 2-2 draw at home to Halle this weekend. This summer, the Munich-based club have added strength and experience to their squad. Philip Türpitz signed from Hansa Rostock, while Albion Vrenezi joined from 2.Bundesliga side Jahn Regensburg. In midfield, Türkgücü have been strengthened by the addition of Andy Irving from Scottish Premiership side Hearts.
Türkgücü München: Manager's View
Fischer: "It's out first competitive game of the season against Türkgücü. From my point of view, I think it's a really difficult challenge. You see how they are equipped with experience from the first division and second division. They are very compact and made an impression in their first two games against Verl and Halle. But they also try to play football and have a balance with long balls into the target men. Sliskovic can be dangerous. They have pace on the wings and they are confident. So I think it will require a good day on our side to qualify for the next round."
Personnel:
Urs Fischer gave his first fitness update of the new season at the pre-match media conference at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei. Fabio Schneider, Leon Dajaku and Grischa Prömel will definitely be missing, while Sebastian Griesback and Sheraldo Becker are not fully fit. Griesbeck has made strides this week in training, but Becker is unlikely to be included following his exerts at the Gold Cup in the United States. Max Kruse and Cedric Teuchert have returned from the Olympic Games in Tokyo without any issues.
