Borussia defeat Oldenburg 2-0

The Foals were victorious in their first friendly of the new year, defeating VfB Oldeburg 2-0. Ramy Bensebaini and Patrick Herrmann scored the goals against the third-division side.

Borussia dominated the opening phases in front of 820 spectators at the training pitches at BORUSSIA-PARK. While Stefan Lainer almost gave his side the lead in just the third minute, it was Ramy Bensebaini who opened the scoring on the 20-minute mark with a brilliant strike. Daniel Farke’s side continued to control the game but couldn’t add to the scoresheet despite several good opportunities. Farke made eight substitutions at the break and the visitors found their way into the game a little, but the better chances fell the way of the Foals. Alassane Plea was denied twice by the woodwork, before Patrick Herrmann found the back of the net to make the score 2-0.

LINEUP

For the first friendly of 2023, head coach Daniel Farke named Tobias Sippel in goal, behind a defensive line of Stefan Lainer, Marvin Friedrich, Tony Jantschke and Ramy Bensebaini. Rocco Reitz started alongside Manu Koné in central midfield, while Jonas Hofmann, Florian Neuhaus and Hannes Wolf played behind Semir Telalovic in attack.

TEAM NEWS

Marcus Thuram was not selected for the friendly after only returning to team training yesterday due to his participation in the World Cup. Yann Sommer was also not involved. “Yann would rather have a few more weeks of training under his belt before playing a match,” said the head coach. Nathan Ngoumou was out due to inflammation in his eye, while Yvandro Borges Sanches, Conor Noß and Torben Müsel were not selected.

FIRST-HALF HIGHLIGHTS

3’: Lainer has the first shot of the game but puts his effort over the bar.

20’: Bensebaini scores Borussia’s first goal of 2023, and what a strike it is! After a great solo run from the left that sees him beat several defenders, the full back fires an unstoppable effort into the top left corner. 1-0.

27’: Hofmann gets into space down the right and crosses towards Telalovic, but VfB ‘keeper Mielitz gets there.

32’: Hofmann’s corner is met by Telalovic, but Mielitz saves again.

42’: Another chance. Telalovic squares the ball to Wolf on the edge of the area, but he puts his shot wide of the goal.

SECOND-HALF HIGHLIGHTS

52’: A good cross from the left sees Elvedi head goalwards, but it lands on the roof of the net.

57’: Adetula tests substitute Olschowsky, but the goalkeeper makes no problem.

64’: Unlucky! Substitute Plea receives a ball from Herrmann and his shot bounces off the crossbar onto the post and into the arms of Mielitz.

74’: 2-0! Netz sends a ball goalwards from the left where Herrmann has the simple task of finishing into the back of the net.

82’: Kramer almost makes it three, but his effort from outside the area is turned round the post by Mielitz.

MATCH FACTS

Borussia: Sippel (46' Olschowsky) – Lainer (46' Scally), Friedrich (46' Itakura), Jantschke (46' Elvedi), Bensebaini (46' Netz) – Reitz (46' Weigl), Koné (46' Fraulo) – Hofmann (46' Herrmann), Neuhaus (60' Kramer), Wolf (60' Stindl) – Telalovic (60' Plea)// Unused subs: Brüll

Oldenburg: Mielitz – Deichmann, Appiah (88' Herbst), Steurer (88' Kaissis), Ndure (80' Richter) – Zietarski (88' Schmidt), Krasniqi (80' Gorin) – Möschl (80' Schäfer), Starke (80' Plautz), Badjie – Adetula (80' Bookjans)// Unused subs: Palmowski, Brand

Goals: 1-0 Bensebaini (20'), 2-0 Herrmann (74')

Attendance: 820 (FohlenPlatz)

Cards: N/A

Referee: Alexander Schuh