Match summary:
Head coach Sebastian Hoeneß called up a number of returnees for the friendly against the current table-toppers in the second division. Forwards Deniz Undav and Silas both returned to action having recovered from injuries, while defenders Dan-Axel Zagadou and Leonidas Stergiou, who recently played for the reserve team, also gained some valuable minutes.
The goals:
11th minute – 1-0: A cross from Maximilian Mittelstädt hits the arm of an Elversberg defender, prompting referee Dr Robert Kampka to point to the spot. The left-back takes the penalty himself and slots it confidently into the bottom left corner.
23rd minute – 2-0: Some nice link-up play down the right side leads to the second goal as Undav lays the ball off in a central position for Chris Führich, who hits it first-time into the left corner of the net from 18 metres.
Reaction:
Sebastian Hoeneß: “We had the opportunity today to give game time to a few guys who are coming back from injuries. Apart from Pascal Stenzel, who’s got a little muscle issue on his ribs, all the guys came through it well. The first half was pretty good for the most part. We had less fluidity in our play after the break, also because of all the substitutions, but still looked good against Elversberg’s first-choice 11, so I’m pleased. It was a good test against the Bundesliga 2 leaders.”
Line-up VfB:
First half: Bredlow – Al-Dakhil, Vagnoman, Mittelstädt, Tomas, Führich, Silas, Stenzel (Keitel 22'), Zagadou, Undav, Nartey
Second half: Bredlow – Al-Dakhil (Köhler 61'), Hendriks, Keitel (Lüers 78'), Führich (Darvich 61'), Diehl, Assignon, Zagadou ( Stergiou 61'), Undav (Sankoh 61'), Korkut, Penna