There were a few home comforts for the travelling fans and players as we headed into the third and final leg of our pre-season Germany tour.

Yes, similarities included the fact that Borussia Park is a pretty awesome stadium and it was bloody freezing. They ended there, though, as unusually (or perhaps it’s the norm in Germany) there was a band on a stage outside the ground playing Monchengladbach songs. Normally around this time beer would be much appreciated, but there was only one stall outside the stadium selling any, and it was tiny.

Moving in to the, as noted, impressive stadium, we found our seats only to discover that our view was somewhat hindered by nets and fences. Well, at least the weather was good and we had plenty alcohol. Oh…

However, all this was forgotten when Tony Christie’s Is This The Way To Amarillo was being blasted around the ground…in German. Rock & Roll.

Our ten-men ended up gaining a well-earned draw against the 12-men of Borussia Monchengladbach (yes, that includes the ref). Titus Bramble saw red for a fairly innocuous challenge, while Connor Wickham had perhaps our best chance in a game where they were few and far between.

Anywho, we lined up like this:
Mignolet;
Elmo, Barmble, Turner, Richardson;
Larsson; Catts (c); Gardner; Vaughan;
Wickham, Dong-Won

The match got underway and, for the first 20 minutes or so, it was the home side who dominated the proceedings and had the clearest of chances, though nothing to worry Mignolet too much.

We did start to force our way into the game, with new-boys Gardner, Wickham and Ji standing out. With the change in performance the 500 or so away fans really woke up, and soon there were congas, chants for a disco and some moves that would make Bolo Zenden jealous.

Wickham came closest to opening the scoring, his shot just going wide of the post after some good work from Ji. The South Korean then had appeals for what looked a stonewall penalty turned down, one of many examples of bias from the ref. Monchengladbach finished the half the stronger side but no breakthrough came and the first half finished goalless.

It was Monchengladbach who again came out of the traps quickest after the restart, with the impressive Reus going close from 12 yards.

Bruce made four changes on the hour mark; Sess, Steeeed, Ferdinand and Colback replacing Larsson, Gardner, Catts and Wickham. This saw the pack reshuffled with Ferdinand going to right-back, Elmo right wing, Vaughan and Colback in the centre, Steeeed on the left and Sess baby up front with Ji.

The referee got his wish of finally sending off a Sunderland player – something he’d looked like doing all afternoon – when he handed Bramble a second yellow which was both dubious and pointless (it’s only a bloody friendly!) Anyway, not to worry, all it means is he misses the Kilmarnock match.

That led to another reshuffling, with Ferdinand inside to centre back, Elmo back to right back and Sess dropping into midfield. My head was starting to hurt at this point trying to keep track of it all. Or maybe it was the drink.

Sessegnon almost continued the goalscoring form which has seen him proclaimed as the solution to all our striking problems, but Monchengladbach ‘keeper ter Stegen saved well.

It’s also worth noting that Bruce made sure the subs (those who came on and those who didn’t) did extra running exercises on the pitch after the final whistle had gone.

So, thus ends our German adventure. The results haven’t all gone our way, but the new signings have bedded in well, the players re-gained fitness and we’ve all had the chance to drink proper beer and eat lots of sausages and schnitzel. Now for the long coach ride back to Sunderland.

Final Score: 0-0

ALS Man of the Match: Ji Dong-Won – Looked lively throughout and should have won a penalty.

James Hunt

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