Rapid Vienna played to a 1–1 draw against German Bundesliga side Union Berlin in a preseason match attended by 19,384 fans at the Allianz Stadion. Union took the lead through Tim Skarke after a goalkeeper error by Niklas Hedl. Claude Mbuyi equalized in the 68th minute following an assist from Andrija Radulovic, who had hit the post with a free kick moments earlier.
In sweltering heat, the match clearly reflected the character of a friendly. Rapid’s first-half performance was lackluster but improved after the break. The starting lineup featured five new signings — Mbuyi, Jannes Horn, Dominik Weixelbraun, Furkan Demir, and Janis Antiste — with Jean Marcelin coming on later.
Trimmel Saves Union from Late Defeat
Union Berlin’s Christopher Trimmel and Leopold Querfeld, both former Rapid players, played the full match. Trimmel saved his team from defeat in the 90th minute with a goal-line clearance on a shot from Marcelin. Rapid Vienna’s first competitive fixture of the season takes place this Thursday in the UEFA Conference League second qualifying round, away against Montenegrin club Dečić Tuzi.
