Union Berlin and Eintracht Frankfurt played to a 1-1 draw at Stadion An der Alten Försterei on Friday, spoiling Albert Riera's debut as Frankfurt coach. The match extended both teams' winless runs in the Bundesliga.

The first half began with high energy, fueled by Union Berlin fans celebrating the club's 60th anniversary, which even caused a brief interruption due to smoke from a display. Despite the intensity, neither side managed to create clear-cut chances in the first half. Frankfurt held possession for extended periods, but struggled to penetrate Union's organized defense. Union threatened sporadically, with Aljoscha Kemlein forcing a save from Frankfurt goalkeeper Kauã Santos.

Frankfurt showed increased urgency after halftime, with Oscar Højlund missing a one-on-one opportunity. Union responded with Derrick Kohn's shot hitting the post. The game remained a tense affair until the 84th minute, when Nathaniel Brown unleashed a stunning volley from a loose ball, giving Frankfurt a 1-0 lead. However, Frankfurt's lead was short-lived. Oscar Højlund brought down Rani Khedira in the penalty area, earning a second yellow card and a sending off. Leopold Querfeld converted the resulting penalty, leveling the score at 1-1. Union nearly secured a late winner, but Frankfurt's defense held.

The draw extends Frankfurt's winless streak to eight matches, leaving them in seventh place. Union Berlin remains a few places behind Frankfurt. Neither team has secured a league win in 2026.

Riera was appointed as Eintracht Frankfurt coach on a contract valid until June 30, 2028. Before joining Frankfurt, Riera coached NK Celje in Slovenia, leading them to a domestic cup victory. He also gained experience at Girondins Bordeaux. As a player, Riera played for clubs like Liverpool and Manchester City. Reflecting on the game, Riera said he "enjoyed seeing my new team" and is focused on the team's development rather than just the results.