The Foals’ fourth pre-season friendly ended in a 1-1 draw away to Belgian side Standard Liège.
Borussia were the dominant side in the first half and had more of the chances. After Alassane Plea hit the bar, Christoph Kramer opened the scoring in the 24th minute. The hosts improved after the break and quickly equalised through Renaud Emond (49’). The second half was open, though chances were few and far between and it therefore ended 1-1.
TEAM NEWS
Yann Sommer started in goal for Borussia. The back-four consisted of Joe Scally, Marvin Friedrich, Nico Elvedi and Hannes Wolf. Christoph Kramer and Florian Neuhaus played in central midfield, with Alassane Plea, Torben Müsel and Jonas Hofmann in front of them. Marcus Thuram was the lone striker.
Borussia were without Stefan Laimer (ill), Lars Stindl (rested), Ramy Bensebaini, Rocco Reitz (not fit enough after missing training), Manu Koné (rehabilitation training), Jordan Beyer (muscle) and Jacob Italiano (thigh).
FIRST-HALF HIGHLIGHTS:
3’: The first good chance of the game. Dragus tries to pick out the far corner, but Sommer tips his effort brilliantly onto the post with his fingertips.
20’: Almost the lead for Borussia. Plea cuts in from the right and pulls the trigger. Bodart diverts the shot onto the crossbar and it goes over.
23’: The next chance for Borussia. Wolf sets up Neuhaus and his volley is parried by Bodart. Hofmann then puts the rebound wide.
24’: Kramer gives the Foals a deserved lead. Thuram flicks on a Hofmann corner to the back post and Kramer is there to hammer the ball home from close range. 1-0 to Gladbach.
43’: Emond heads a corner to the far post. Sommer is there to gobble it up.
SECOND-HALF HIGHLIGHTS
49’: The home side equalise via Emond. He has a simple finish from a low cross from the right. 1-1.
70’: Emond tests out Sommer with a header. Borussia’s number 1 saved a low drive from Dragus just before too.
90’: The Belgians almost win it in the final minute. Calut has a great chance from a quick counter, however he can’t properly connect with the ball.
STATISTICS
Standard: Bodart – Ngoy, Laifis, Nobi, Calut – Cimirot, Amallah, Raskin – Dönnum, Dragus, Emond
Borussia: Sommer – Scally (77’ Walde), Friedrich (46’ Itakura), Elvedi (46’ Jantschke), Wolf (77’ Netz) – Kramer, Neuhaus (77’ Fraulo) – Müsel (46’ Borges Sanches), Hofmann (77’ Herrmann), Plea (77’ Quizera) – Thuram (77’ Noß)
Goals: 0-1 Kramer (24’), 1-1 Emond (49’)
Yellow cards: Amallah - Wolf
Attendance: 4,500
