The clubs of the Bundesliga test their form a week before the 1st round of the DFB-Pokal. VfB Stuttgart was in a goal mood, while Borussia Mönchengladbach is still undefeated in the pre-season.
VfB Stuttgart – Valencia FC 5: 2 (2: 1)
Almost a week before the start of the competitive game, VfB Stuttgart was in a goal mood. Coach Pellegrino Matarazzo’s team defeated the Spanish first division club FC Valencia 5-2 (2-1) in the season opener.
Tiago Tomas (16th, 44th), Silas (46th), new signing Juan Jose Perea (58th) and Darko Churlinov (90th) scored the VfB goals. Marcos Andre (30th, 55th) scored twice for the guests. The Swabians are guests in the DFB Cup on Friday at third division club Dynamo Dresden.
Borussia Monchengladbach – Real Sociedad 1: 1 (1: 0)
Borussia Mönchengladbach finished their preparations for the coming season unbeaten, but still have room for improvement. The team of new coach Daniel Farke had to settle for a 1-1 (1-0) draw against the Spanish first division side Real Sociedad San Sebastian in Borussia Park.
Ramy Bensebaini put the hosts ahead (45′, penalty kick), Jon Karrikaburu prevented the fifth win in eight friendly games (four draws) with his overhead kick (62′).
In the DFB Cup, the five-time German champions are challenged next week at fifth division club SV Oberachern.
VfL Bochum – Antalyaspor 6: 2 (2: 1)
Two weeks before the start of the season in the Bundesliga, VfL Bochum presented itself in an attractive form again. Coach Thomas Reis’ team easily defeated the Turkish first division club Antalyaspor 6:2 (2:1) two days after the clear defeat against Athletic Bilbao (1:4).
After Houssam Ghacha (16′) fell behind, Ukrainian international Iwan Ordez (42′), Simon Zoller (45′), Takuma Asano (57′, 58′), Jordi Osei-Tutu (75′) and Patrick Osterhage ( 76.) with their goals the encounter. Haji Wright (68th) shortened for the guests in the meantime. Next Saturday, VfL will play the DFB Cup game at regional league club Viktoria Berlin.
West Bromwich Albion 1-2 Hertha BSC (0-1)
Hertha BSC still has a bit of work to do before the start of the Bundesliga season in two weeks. The Berliners were beaten 2-1 (1-0) in the friendly at English second division club West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.
The guests took the lead through Davie Selke (13th). However, John Swift (70th) and Daryl Dike (73rd) turned the match around. In the DFB-Pokal, Hertha will be visiting second division promoted Eintracht Braunschweig next Sunday.
VfL Wolfsburg – Brentford 4: 0 (1: 0)
Good early form at VfL Wolfsburg: Six days before the start of the DFB Cup at FC Carl Zeiss Jena, the Lower Saxony Bundesliga club easily defeated FC Brentford 4-0 (1-0).
The goals for coach Niko Kovac’s team were scored by Patrick Wimmer (27′), Sebastian Bornauw (55′), Jonas Wind (65′) and Jakub Kaminski (85′). The visitors from the English Premier League put on a disappointing performance, their loss was deserved at this level.
TSG Hoffenheim – Hellas Verona 3: 2 (1: 2) (120 minutes)
Bundesliga club TSG Hoffenheim completed their pre-season preparations with a win. The Kraichgauer prevailed against the Serie A club Hellas Verona with 3: 2 (1: 2). In the first round of the DFB Cup, coach Andre Breitenreiter’s team will take on SV Rödinghausen on July 31 (3:30 p.m.).
New signing Grischa Prömel scored twice for TSG (58th and 89th), and Christoph Baumgartner also scored (84th). In a game lasting 120 minutes, Kevin Lasagna (12th and 29th) gave the visitors the lead.
FC Augsburg – Stade Rennes 2:3 (1:1) (120 minutes)
Eight days before the first game in the DFB Cup at the Lower Saxony amateur club Blau-Weiss Lohne, FC Augsburg botched their dress rehearsal with a 2:3 (1:1) defeat against Stade Rennes. In a game lasting 120 minutes, Ermedin Demirovic (22nd) and Maurice Malone (118th) scored the goals for Augsburg.
Benjamin Bourigeaud (5′) and Gaetan Laborde (55′) scored for the French, while Felix Uduokhai (58′) scored an own goal.
Even before the start of the game, it became known that FCA apparently wanted to sign striker Tony Martinez from FC Porto for a transfer fee of ten million euros. This was reported at least on Saturday by the Spanish daily sports newspaper published in Madrid AS.
The 25-year-old attacker is considered overstaffed in attack by the Portuguese champions and is expected to leave the club by the end of the transfer window. Martinez was also under contract with West Ham United in the Premier League but failed to establish himself at the London club.
Union Berlin 1-0 Nottingham Forest (1-0)
Two weeks before the start of the Bundesliga season, Union Berlin presented itself in good form. Coach Urs Fischer’s team defeated newly promoted Premier League team Nottingham Forest 1-0 (1-0). The goal was scored by new signing Jordan Siebatcheu (36′).
Before the start against city rivals Hertha BSC, the DFB Cup game at Chemnitzer FC (August 1) is still on the agenda for Union.
