2022 in review: Starting the new season on a roll

In our review of 2022, we take a look at the months of July and August. Under new coach Daniel Farke, Borussia enjoyed a promising start to the new season.

ON THE PITCH

After a two-year absence due to the pandemic, Borussia returned to Rottach-Egern as part of their pre-season preparations. Before the start of the week-long training camp at Tegernsee, the Foals took on Rot-Weiß Essen in their first friendly of the season, a 4-2 victory in head coach Daniel Farke’s first game in charge of the side. Further friendly victories followed against 1860 Munich (6-0), Viktoria Köln (5-2) and MSV Duisburg (1-0), as well as draws against Standard Liege (1-1), Athletic Bilbao (0-0) and Real Sociedad (1-1). The first competitive match of the season awaited at the end of July; Borussia were victorious, defeating SV Oberachern 9-1 in the first round of the DFB-Pokal. Farke's side then kicked off the Bundesliga in successful fashion, with a 3-1 win over TSG Hoffenheim. A 2-2 draw away to Schalke was followed by a 1-0 win against Hertha BSC and a 1-1 draw against Bayern Munich.

STANDOUT MOMENT

Goalkeeper Yann Sommer set a new Bundesliga record for saves in a game when he made 19 stops in the 1-1 draw against Bayern, and was instrumental in his team picking up a point. No Bundesliga goalkeeper had saved as many shots in one game since data collection began in 1992. Sommer's personal record before that game was twelve saves. The goalkeeper’s heroics helped the Foals stretch their unbeaten run against Bayern to four games.

OFF THE PITCH

• Borussia completed the signings of Ko Itakura, who had spent the last season on loan at Schalke in the second divison, and Nathan Ngoumou, who joined from French side Toulouse. Assistant coaches Christopher John and Edmund Riemer and fitness coaches Chris Domogalla and Roman Steinweg also joined Daniel Farke’s backroom staff.
• In terms of summer outgoings, Breel Embolo joined AS Monaco and Famana Quizera moved to Academica Viseu. Moritz Nicolas also left on loan to Roda JC.
• New sporting director Roland Virkus managed to secure contract extensions with Alassane Plea and Jonas Hofmann. The pair each signed new deals until 2025.
• The club announced an extension of the agreement in place with the municipality of Rottach-Egern and the Althoff Seehotel Überfahrt hotel, which will see the club head to Tegernsee for a training camp in each of the next three years.
• Two members of the Borussia E-Academy made the step up into Borussia's eSports team.
• Kyocera was welcomed back to the club as a premium partner. The company was Borussia’s shirt and main sponsor between 2005 and 2009.
• Borussia were able to host an event for the season opener once again for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic. Around 55,000 spectators gathered at BORUSSIA-PARK and provided a fantastic atmosphere and brilliant day.

QUOTE

Florian Neuhaus: “The good start of the season was brought about by a good pre-season. There was a good atmosphere within the team and in and around the club from the first day. Every fan and every member of staff in the club could feel it. It’s really enjoyable to play for Borussia at the moment. We’re a real unit. We need to maintain that throughout the upcoming games and over the season.”