Our German training camp concluded with a 1-1 draw against FC Nurnberg at the Max Morlock Stadium. This result marks another step in our pre-season preparations as we continue to build for the upcoming season.
The match started with a bang as Bukayo Saka scored an early goal to give us the lead. Mikel Arteta made some changes during halftime to give players more playing time and improve their fitness levels. One notable change was the debut of Kai Havertz.
Despite creating several opportunities in the second half, we were unable to add to our lead. In a bizarre turn of events, Jorginho scored an own goal after the hour mark, allowing the hosts to equalize.
The game began with a last-minute change in our starting lineup, with Fabio Vieira replacing Martin Odegaard due to a slight injury. However, this change did not affect us as Saka scored a fantastic goal just eight minutes into the game. He showcased his speed, power, and skill as he maneuvered past the opposition’s defense and unleashed a powerful shot into the bottom corner of the net.
Throughout the first half, we dominated the game and had several chances to extend our lead. Reiss Nelson forced a corner with a deflected shot that was saved by the opposing goalkeeper. However, our efforts to double our lead were unsuccessful, similar to Thomas Partey’s shot that narrowly missed the target.
Bukayo, who recently scored a hat-trick for England, continued to show his impressive form. He had another attempt on goal but was denied by the opposing goalkeeper.
As the first half came to an end, the intensity of the game decreased. During halftime, Arteta made substitutions to provide opportunities for other players to gain valuable game time. This led to another flurry of chances. Gabriel Jesus missed a one-on-one opportunity, and Cedric’s shot narrowly missed the target.
On the hour mark, we came close to scoring when Folarin Balogun hit the post from a tight angle. However, moments later, Jorginho scored an own goal after a mistake by Karl Hein, leveling the score.
The hosts gained momentum after the equalizer and had a chance to take the lead. However, an excellent sliding block from Auston Trusty prevented them from scoring. Nurnberg continued to press but wasted a good chance as Jens Castrop blasted the ball wide.
In the final minute of the game, Balogun had a golden opportunity to win the game but struck the side-netting. Despite the missed chance, overall, it was a positive performance from our team.
Looking ahead, we are heading to the USA for our pre-season tour. We will face the MLS All-Stars in Washington DC, followed by a match against Manchester United in New Jersey. Our tour concludes with a game against Barcelona in Los Angeles and the Emirates Cup meeting with Monaco in north London. You can stream our pre-season matches by visiting our website.
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