Ratingen SV 2–2 Bergisch Gladbach 09 | International Club Friendly

Two lower‑league German sides served up an entertaining 2‑2 draw at the Ratinger Stadion, with both teams showing ambition in a pre‑season friendly that offered plenty of end‑to‑end action. The result gave each coach plenty of positives and areas to refine before league duties resume.

Match Overview

Ratingen SV, competing in the Oberliga Niederrhein, started brightly and took the lead after 20 minutes through striker Lukas Zielinski, who rounded the Bergisch Gladbach goalkeeper after a through‑ball from midfielder Niklas Flick. The visitors, from the Mittelrheinliga, equalised shortly before half‑time when right‑back Jan Schumacher fired a low shot from outside the box into the bottom corner.

Key Moments

• 20' – Zielinski scores after a neat one‑two with Flick.
• 42' – Schumacher’s speculative strike beats the keeper at the near post.
• 63' – Ratingen retakes the lead: a free‑kick from Flick is met by a glancing header from centre‑back Marcel Klein.
• 81' – Bergisch Gladbach equalises again through substitute Simon Blümel, who taps in from a cross.

Tactical Story

Ratingen SV played a high‑tempo pressing game, trying to force errors in the opponent’s half. Bergisch Gladbach built patiently from the back, using a 4‑2‑3‑1 to exploit spaces left by the home side’s pressing. The match swung back and forth, with both defences vulnerable to quick transitions. Set pieces were a key weapon: Ratingen scored from a free‑kick, while Bergisch Gladbach’s second goal came from sustained build‑up play.

Standout Players

Niklas Flick (Ratingen SV) was involved in both of his side’s goals, showing creativity and vision. For Bergisch Gladbach, Jan Schumacher not only scored but also made several important interceptions at right‑back. The friendly served as a valuable test of fitness and squad depth, with both coaches using five substitutes each.