Prömel scores twice as Union beat SV Ried
Union in Austria:
Three first-half goals gave 1. FC Union Berlin a comfortable victory against second division side SV Ried at the Austrian training camp in Windischgarsten.
Marvin Friedrich opened the scoring for the Bundesliga side and midfielder Grischa Prömel hit twice to end the contest before the first 45 minutes were done.
SV Ried Starting XI: Kreidl; Vojkovic, Boateng, Reifelsthammer, Takougnadi; Ziegl, Acquah; Grüll, Weissmeier, Bajic; Jefte
1. FC Union Berlin: Gikiewicz; Ryerson (Lenz 21 (Dehl 60)), Friedrich (Schlotterbeck 45), Dietz, Reichel; Prömel, Kroos; Gogia, Becker (Mees 45), Ingvartsen (Arcones 45); Andersson (Ujah 45)
With tomorrow's game at Blau-Weiß Linz, Urs Fischer used the chance to split the squad into two groups to maximise game time. Lars Dietz continued at central defence from Saturday's win over Brondby with new signings Sheraldo Becker and Marcus Ingvartsen included for the first time following their arrivals this summer.
SV Ried keeper Johannes Kreidl barely had a moment's peace between the sticks as Union Berlin attacked with zip and sharpness. Ingvartsen fired past the post in the eighth minute before the Köpenick side netted at the next opportunity – Felix Kroos' corner kick from the right was headed into the net by the unmarked Marvin Friedrich. Dutchman Becker hit the post two minutes later as Fischer's side countered with speed from right-to-left. On 21 minutes, there was a blow for Union as Julian Ryerson limped off after a collision inside the penalty box. The conditions in Windischgarsten were hardly perfect with the rain strengthening as the first half went on. The ball often slipped clear of the players while there was concern for a short period around the underfoot conditions. After 29 minutes, Union bagged their second of the night: Akaki Gogia laid the ball off to Prömel on the edge of the box and the midfielder fired past Kreidl. Two minutes later, Prömel scored his second, picking up the loose ball around the edge of the box and firing past the Ried goalkeeper.
Fischer's changes at the break allowed Keven Schlotterbeck, Anthony Ujah, Joshua Mees and Maurice Opfermann Arcones the opportunity to collect some minutes in pre-season. While the match struggled for the same pace as the first 45 minutes, Gogia impressed on the right-wing, willing to take players on at every opportunity and look to keep the Ried goalkeeper on his toes. On 57 minutes, Kreidl showed good reactions to turn a left-footed shot behind the post. A first-half substitute, Christopher Lenz was replaced by Laurenz Dehl on the hour mark as the youngster was given his opportunity to impress. Gogia set up Kroos on 66 minutes but the stand-in captain shot over the bar, while Prömel's header came back off the crossbar four minutes later. The Austrians were presented with an opportunity to bag a consolation after Kroos' was adjudged to have handled the ball in the box. However, Canillas stepped up and struck his penalty kick over Rafal Gikiewicz's crossbar.
Tomorrow's game against Blau-Weiß Linz takes place at 15:00 at the Linz Stadium.
