1. FC Köln convincingly won their last test of preparation.
Coach Steffen Baumgart’s team defeated the Dutch first division club NEC Nijmegen 5-0 (2-0) in Troisdorf, spectators were not allowed.
Ondrej Duda (21′) with a penalty kick, Linton Maina (40′), Sargis Adamyan (47′) and Tim Lemperle (75’/79′) ensured FC victory. “We’re using the test to try out a few things. The team won’t be the one that will play against Regensburg,” Baumgart said before the match.
Cologne is playing in the playoffs for the Conference League
The Cologne side, who are playing for a place in the European Cup in the Conference League playoffs in August, will be playing their first competitive game on July 30: the first-round duel in the DFB Cup is against second-division side Jahn Regensburg. In the league, things start on August 7 against newly promoted Schalke 04.
Schalke loses last test against Twente Enschede
Bundesliga promoted Schalke 04 suffered a setback in the last endurance test before the first competitive game of the new season. The Knappen lost 1:3 (1:1) at the Dutch first division club Twente Enschede despite being in the lead.
Central defender Marcin Kaminski (9th) gave Schalke the lead in front of 25,000 spectators, Michel Vlap scored the equalizer a little later with a direct free kick (14th). Sem Steijn (84′) and Manfred Ugalde (89′) shot the three-time Dutch Cup winner late to victory. For the S04 there was also a reunion with Twente keeper Lars Unnerstall, who had been under contract with the Knappen between 2008 and 2013.
On July 31, Schalke will start the competitive season in the cup at fourth division club Bremer SV, a week later the miners will return to the Bundesliga stage at 1. FC Köln.
SID
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