Union Berlin 1-3 Augsburg
Goals: 0-1 Vargas (40'), 1-1 Bülter (75'), 1-2 Gregoritsch (82'), 1-3 Hahn (89')

With 4,300 fans in the Stadion an der Alten Försterei, the Bundesliga returned with a welcome atmosphere restored in Germany's capital, and it did not take long for their presence to inspire new signing Robin Knoche to send in the first shot of the game, although he missed the target for the hosts. There was further disappointment for the fans midway through the first half when Christian Gentner had to be substituted off due to injury. It had otherwise been an encouraging first half from the hosts, until one momentary lapse in concentration at the back let Vargas meet Raphael Framberger's cross to head Augsburg in front with their first meaningful attack of the match, five minutes before the break.

Union started the second half with a little more urgency, and – perhaps tellingly – more aggression. Having enjoyed most of the first-half possession, they now appeared intent on doing more with the ball. Captain Christopher Trimmel led their now more frequent forays into the Augsburg penalty area, yet with the hour mark passed, still they had not managed to test their former team-mate Rafal Gikiewicz on his debut between the Augsburg posts. Coach Urs Fischer turned to Max Kruse to find a way through in the final 20 minutes, and he immediately made his presence felt for Gikiewicz, who courageously plucked a deep cross out of the air while under pressure from the German forward. The pressure mounted from Union, and it soon paid off as Marius Bülter met Christopher Lenz's cross from close range to draw level. It was Augsburg coach Heiko Herrlich's turn to react, with Alfred Finnbogason and Hahn both sent on. He left on Gregoritsch, however, and that proved to be an inspired choice as the returning attacker from Schalke headed in Iago's cross to restore Augsburg's lead, before Hahn turned the screw in the closing stages.

FCU Union Berlin Union Berlin - FCA Augsburg Augsburg

Vargas, Gregoritsch and Hahn have Augsburg off to a flyer

Kruse made "gut decision" to sign for Union Berlin