1. FC Union Berlin went into a 2-0 lead at VfB Stuttgart, but the Swabians fought back and earned a point at the Mercedes-Benz Arena.
Marvin Friedrich's all-important goal in Stuttgart in May 2019 sent Union into the Bundesliga for the first time in the club's history, and on his return he headed the visitors into the lead after four minutes. Union's second goal came with about 13 minutes left on the break, Christopher Lenz crossing for Taiwo Awoniyi to head home.
But Stuttgart's pressure was rewarded in the last five minutes with two goals from substitute Sasa Kalajdzic.
1. FC Union Berlin: Luthe; Trimmel, Knoche, Friedrich, Gießelmann, Lenz; Griesbeck, Prömel; Teuchert (Ryerson 68), Becker (Bülter 61), Awoniyi
A short three days after Saturday's 1-1 draw at home to Bayern Munich, Fischer's team started with two fresh faces in Niko Gießelmann and Cedric Teuchert. Union returned to the back-three formation and the former Düsseldorf left-back slotted in to join Robin Knoche and Friedrich in central defence. After four minutes, the Köpenick club had found the breakthrough from another Christopher Trimmel set-play situation. The Austrian skipper dropped a tidy cross into the area and Friedrich's header flew past Kobel and into the net. Stuttgart, who won 5-1 at Borussia Dortmund on Saturday and started level on points with Union, always carried a threat in the final third. Andreas Luthe parried away a dangerous shot from Klimowicz after 12 minutes to keep the Swabians at bay. Union's defensive shape was again on point and blocked routes to goal for Stuttgart through the middle of the pitch. But the final touch, final pass or cross was lacking at the other end and Fischer's men were unable to extend their advantage. Teuchert blazed over after 43 minutes in the next best chance for Union towards the end of the half.
Pellegrino Mattarazzo turned to his bench quickly across the interval and into the second 45 minutes as the hosts looked to get back into the match. Nicolas Gonzalez hit the crossbar with a bicycle kick before the Argentine tangled with Sebastian Griesbeck on 57 minutes. Gonzalo Castro passed up a huge opportunity to equalise despite the pressures from Friedrich and Knoche on 63 minutes. Fischer added fresh legs in the shape of Marius Bülter and Julian Ryerson, but the second-half dominance lay with Stuttgart. With 13 minutes to go, Union thought they had guaranteed all three points when Christopher Lenz landed an inch-perfect cross on to Awoniyi's head and the Nigerian bagged the second. Stuttgart's substitute, the Austrian striker Kalajdzic, would turn out to be the game's decisive player, pulling one back with a header on 85 minutes. The former Admira Wacker frontman then volleyed home an impressive equaliser in the final minute of the match. Referee Sascha Stegemann consulted with video referee Robert Hartmann and after several minutes of deliberation, the goal stood. Union might have won it in stoppage time, but Fischer's men were held to a point and will look ahead to Friday's home game against Borussia Dortmund.
Union head south to face Stuttgart
Match preview
After Saturday's brilliant 1-1 draw at home to Bayern Munich, 1. FC Union Berlin will make the long trip south to take on VfB Stuttgart on Tuesday at 20:30.
Review
1. FC Union Berlin's gallant effort at the Alte Försterei against the German champions was rewarded with an extra point on to the Bundesliga account for the season. Grischa Prömel's near-post header put the Köpenick club ahead after just four minutes and there was reasonable frustration at missed chances in front of Manuel Neuer's goal. Taiwo Awoniyi couldn't cap off a fantastic display as the lone striker with a goal, missing two opportunities, while a number of good opportunities were squandered into the second half. Marvin Friedrich headed directly at Neuer from a corner kick, while substitute Keita Endo and Marius Bülter were denied by German's World Cup-winning stopper. At the other end, Robert Lewandowski drew Bayern level but the final heart-in-mouth moment was rescued by goalkeeper Andreas Luthe, whose save from Kingsley Coman bagged Urs Fischer's team a point at the death.
Opposition
VfB Stuttgart are level on points with Union in their first season back in Germany's top division after promotion last season. A year earlier, Fischer's team celebrated the promotion play-off win against the Swabians with a 2-2 draw at the Mercedes-Benz Arena followed up with a 0-0 tie at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei. Pellegrino Matarazzo was handed the head coach role and has turned Stuttgart's fortunes around alongside the work of sporting director Thomas Hitzlsperger. Stuttgart's recent results will put a smile on the face of the 2007 German champions – the 2-1 win at Werder Bremen was backed up with a stunning 5-1 win at Borussia Dortmund, which eventually cost Lucien Favre his job at the Westfalenstadion. Silas Wamangituka scored a double for Stuttgart and set up one for Tanguy Coulibaly on Saturday, while Philipp Förster and Nicolas Gonzalez got on the scoresheet at Dortmund.
Personnel
Max Kruse, Joel Pohjanpalo, Nico Schlotterbeck and Anthony Ujah will not be available for selection for Fischer and his coaching staff. Robert Andrich will serve the second of his three game suspension for the red card against Hertha Berlin last week. Christian Gentner, Florian Hübner and Marcus Ingvartsen are doubtful.
Service
Tuesday's match at the Mercedes-Benz Arena will take place behind closed doors.
