**Union Berlin are battle-tested; Aris just want a tune-up.** This feels like a mismatch dressed up as a friendly — German side grinding through pre-season chaos versus Cypriot club playing catchup. 🔴⚪

Union's recent form reads like a blender (0W in five), but they're building something. Aris are sharper on paper (2W-1D recently), yet stepping up in quality here is a different animal. Both sides hunting rhythm, neither firing yet.

Key storylines:

- **Union's defense** has work to do after shipping five goals in three straight losses — Leite and Doekhi's partnership gets tested early
- **Aris midfield** (Gaustad and Sarfo leading) must survive Union's press or they'll be chasing shadows all afternoon
- **Jeong and Ilić** on the flanks give Union tempo and width; Aris' fullbacks Correia and Loucoubar are the pressure valve

Expected lineups:

- **1. FC Union Berlin**: Klaus, Leite, Doekhi, Rothe, Querfeld, Trimmel, Kemlein, Ilić, Schäfer, Ansah, Jeong
- **Aris Limassol**: Vaná, Correia, Yago, Loucoubar, Matysik, Gaustad, Sarfo, Effaghe, Nikolić, Ovsyannikov, Theodosiou

Prediction:

**Union Berlin 2-0 Aris Limassol**

Home advantage and sharper squad depth edge this one, even if Union's shaky form keeps it respectable. 💪