Paul Jaeckel during the friendly against Luckenwalde. He should also be used on Saturday Photo: City Press GmbH
By Matthew Koch
The second game of the summer preparations takes Union on Saturday (4.30 p.m./live on club TV) to Hungary to face the cup winners and ninth-placed Zalaegerszegi TE FC.
You should know that about the lightning trip of the Iron!
► The arrival: There are around 700 kilometers between Berlin and the city of Zalaegerszeg in western Hungary. Union uses a charter airline. Coach Urs Fischer (57): “We will fly to Hungary on Saturday morning. There is some food. Then there is this game. Then it’s straight back.”
► The hardships: Normally, Fischer doesn’t like long distances in the preparation at all. The Swiss: “Of course we would have preferred to play at home. But we’ve also flown to Salzburg to play against Wolfsburg.” On July 27, 2019, the Irons played against VfL in Anif near Salzburg in an XXL test over 4 x 30 minutes.
► The incentive: Union is now considered a big club in Europe as a Champions League participant. The Hungarians have invited the FCU. The lightning trip is worth its weight in gold. According to reports, the Köpenickers collect a six-figure initial fee.
► The anticipation: An estimated 100 Union fans will make the long journey. They could witness the Union debuts of midfielder Brenden Aaronson (22/on loan from Leeds United) and forward David Datro Fofana (20/on loan from Chelsea London) near Lake Balaton.