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| | | BVB lose 1-0 to Cologne in entertaining friendly | | | | [28.01.] Borussia Dortmund suffered a 1-0 (0-0) defeat to Cologne in an experimental friendly on Monday night. In a committed and entertaining encounter, Daniel Royer scored the only goal in the 74th minute in front of a 9,500 crowd at Rhein Energie Stadium in Cologne. Nuri Sahin, who put in a 90-minute shift, hit the post for Borussia while Jakub Blaszczykowski missed from the spot. | | | BVB coach Jürgen Klopp shuffled his team around, making nine changes from the side that beat Nuremberg 3-0 on Friday, and he still fielded a formidable team. Marian Sarr, an under-19 player and a new signing, made his BVB debut playing alongside Mats Hummels in central defence, while Sven Bender and Nuri Sahin, the heart and soul of the 2011 Bundesliga-winning side, played in the holding positions. Currently suspended U-23 player Leonardo Bittencourt was also given some playing time, just as Julian Schieber who started up front for the visitors.
In an entertaining start to the game, Hummels went close with a header in the sixth minute before Sahin hit the post with an 18-yard shot four minutes later. Schieber had a good effort blocked after good work from Blaszczykowski (34 mins.),  | | Nuri Sahin sees his 10th minute shot hit the post. [picture: DeFodi] |
and the BVB striker also forced Cologne goalkeeper Horn into a great save with a fierce shot shortly before the half-time whistle.
BVB dominated the first half but had to replace Schmelzer with a back injury midway through it. Cologne produced only one chance of note in the opening 45 minutes when Ujah got hold of the ball inside the area only to see his shot being blocked by Kirch for a corner (31 mins.).
Borussia continued to control the match after the break but it was the home side that found the goal. Langerak and Kirch got in each otherīs way as they went for a Bröker cross, and Royer was on hand to tap home to put Cologne in front (74 mins.). Responding with conviction and heart, Borussia pushed for an immediate equaliser, and they almost got it when a Lewandowski shot was blocked by a last-gasp tackle from Wimmer two minutes later, while Blaszczykowski missed with a penalty (foul from Eichner on Götze) in the 83rd minute.
BVB: Langerak - Kirch, Sarr, Hummels (46. Santana), Schmelzer (25. Blaszczykowski) - Bender (61. Gündogan), Sahin - Bittencourt (61. Reus), Leitner (61. Götze), Großkreutz - Schieber (61. Lewandowski)
Goal: 1-0 Royer (74.)
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