Borussia’s final preseason friendly ended in a 1-1 draw with La Liga side Real Sociedad.
10,771 spectators were at BORUSSIA-PARK for the dress rehearsal ahead of next week’s DFB-Pokal first-round tie with SV Oberachern. It was an even encounter against the Spanish outfit, with both defences standing strong for the most part. One lapse in concentration at the back from the visitors allowed Borussia the open the scoring; Marcus Thuram was tripped in the box and Ramy Bensebaini fired in the penalty on the stroke of half time. Sociedad were able to level after the break, however, with Jon Karrikaburu pulling off an acrobatic finish to ensure a third consecutive 1-1 preseason draw for the Foals.
TEAM NEWS
Yann Sommer was in goal behind a back-four of Joe Scally, Ko Itakura, Nico Elvedi and Ramy Bensebaini. Christoph Kramer and Florian Neuhaus partnered up in centre midfield. Patrick Herrmann, Lars Stindl and Jonas Hofmann made up the attacking trio supporting lone striker Marcus Thuram.
The Foals were without Marvin Friedrich (thigh strain), Alassane Plea (calf), Hannes Wolf (thigh), Manu Koné (fitness), Jordan Beyer (minor muscle issue) and Tobias Sippel (close Covid-19 contact).
FIRST-HALF HIGHLIGHTS
2’: Borussia have the first chance of the game after just 70 seconds. Sommer is able to parry away Isak’s powerful shot with both hands.
17’: Isak is in behind following a long ball, but Elvedi and Sommer somehow manage to stop him from getting a shot away.
31’: Hofmann latches onto a punt from Neuhaus and bears down on Remiro. His shot is too central though, and the visiting goalkeeper makes the save.
43’: Thuram shows a burst of speed in the box and is tripped by Le Normand. Bensebaini takes on the responsibility and buries his spot-kick into the top corner. 1-0 to Gladbach.
SECOND-HALF HIGHLIGHTS
48’: The away side create the first chance of the half. Martin tries his luck from the edge of the box and Sommer is able to stop and then gather the ball.
56’: Thuram dances past two defenders in the area before being upended by a third, but this time there is no whistle from the referee.
60’: Real Sociedad equalise. A shot loops up in the air following a deflection and Karrikaburu meets the ball with overhead kick from five yards out that beats Sommer. 1-1.
74’: A decent chance for the Foals as Herrmann finds some space on the edge of the box to shoot, and his powerful effort is only a few inches over the target.
90’: Almost a late winner for the visitors, but Sommer manages to block Navarro’s shot from close range with an outstretched leg.
MATCH FACTS
Borussia: Sommer – Scally (75’ Lainer), Itakura, Elvedi (67’ Netz), Bensebaini – Kramer (65’ Jantschke), Neuhaus – Herrmann, Hofmann, Stindl – Thuram (75’ Müsel)
Real Sociedad: Remiro – Pacheco, Aritz, Le Normand, Rico – Merino, Illarramendi, David Silva – Mendez, Cho, Isak
Goals: 1-0 Bensebaini (43’, pen.), 1-1 Karrikaburu (60’)
Attendance: 10,774
