Borussia keeper Yann Sommer made his comeback for the Swiss national team as his side were defeated 2-0 by Ghana in a friendly, marking his first appearance since recovering from ankle issue. Nico Elvedi also made an appearance in his nation’s only warm-up game before the tournament. Jonas Hofmann played the full 90 minutes as Germany beat Oman 1-0 in their pre-tournament friendly.
GERMANY
The German national team enjoyed a 1-0 win against Oman in their only friendly before the World Cup gets underway. Hansi Flick’s side won out in Muscat, the hosts’ capital city – with Borussia midfielder Jonas Hoffman starting and completing the full match from the right hand side of an attacking trio. Germany’s winner was scored by debutant Niclas Füllkrug in the 80th minute. “We had some problems in the first half; Oman got forward unbelievably well with their very quick and technically adept players. But it was a friendly, and a step in the right direction before the World Cup starts against Japan. We were able to get used to the temperatures, everything was fine,” commented Flick. The first game of the campaign against Japan is to be played next Wednesday, 23rd November, at 14:00 CET.
SWITZERLAND
Gladbach keeper Yann Sommer (photo: imago images) made his comeback in Switzerland’s only friendly before the start of the World Cup. The 33-year-old, who had been unavailable for the Foals due to an ankle problem, played the full 90 in a 2-0 loss to Ghana, putting in a strong performance regardless of the score, with Sommer helpless for both goals conceded. Nico Elvedi was substituted on in the second half of the game in Abu Dhabi. Switzerland’s first group stage game is on Thursday, 24th November at 11:00 CET against Cameroon.
Gladbach's statement on the World Cup
ALGERIA
Ramy Bensebaini ‘s Algeria side played out a 1-1 draw against Mali in a friendly. Borussia’s left-back did not play in the game, having returned home on Monday following release from quarantine after having tested negative for COVID-19.
