Optik Rathenow vs Union Berlin

Union Berlin needed only 15 minutes to open the scoring. Andrej Ilic struck first, but the lead lasted only seven minutes — Maxim Langer equalised for Rathenow in the 22nd minute to bring the hosts level.

What followed was a 13-minute Union blitz that effectively ended the contest before half-time. Derrick Köhn restored the lead in the 23rd minute, and Livan Burcu made it 3-1 in the 33rd. Ilic struck again a minute later (34'), and Oliver Burke (36') and Andras Schäfer (38') made it six. Ilyas Ansah added a seventh in the 43rd minute before Ousmane Sannoh pulled one back for Rathenow (44'), making it 7-2 at the break.

Lustrinelli changed his entire XI at half-time, and the new personnel kept the momentum going. Tom Rothe made it 8-2 in the 49th minute. Linus Güther (56', 76') and Marin Ljubicic (72', 78') each scored twice in the second period to complete the 12-2 scoreline.

Rathenow's 22nd-minute equaliser through Langer could have sparked a contest, but Union's response was immediate and emphatic. Köhn's goal just 60 seconds later restored the lead, and Union scored five more before half-time — a stretch of six goals in 16 minutes that killed any hopes of an upset.

Andrej Ilic — Two first-half goals (15', 34') set the tone. The striker's movement and finishing in wet conditions stood out before he was withdrawn at half-time.

Linus Güther — Scored twice in the second half (56', 76') after being introduced at the break, showing the depth Lustrinelli can call on.

Marin Ljubicic — Also bagged a second-half brace (72', 78') as Union's rotated XI showed no drop-off in intensity.

The 14-goal total reflects the gulf in class between a Bundesliga side and a fifth-tier Oberliga team, but the manner of the performance matters more for Union. Seven different scorers in the first half alone, followed by five more after the complete XI change, suggests Lustrinelli's squad is already adapting to his tactical demands. The quick response to Rathenow's equaliser — scoring five goals in 13 minutes — was the most telling sequence.

This was Lustrinelli's first match in charge since succeeding in May 2026. The Swiss coach used 22 players, fielding a back four in the first half that included new signings Zeno van den Bosch (from Royal Antwerp) and Marvin Friedrich (from Borussia Mönchengladbach) for their debuts.

Union's next pre-season test comes swiftly — they face SV Grün-Weiß Lübben on Sunday 5 July 2026. The 2026/27 Bundesliga season begins later this summer.

For Optik Rathenow, the friendly was part of the club's anniversary celebrations. Despite the heavy defeat, scoring twice against a Bundesliga opponent was a positive moment for the Oberliga side.

A 12-2 scoreline in a pre-season friendly against a side five divisions below tells you everything about the gap in quality and little about Union's Bundesliga prospects. But Lustrinelli's first outing delivered exactly what pre-season openers should: minutes, goals and a chance for new signings to integrate. The true tests begin later.

Attendance: 2,500 | Venue: Stadion Vogelgesang, Rathenow | Competition: Friendlies Clubs (World), Season 2026