- Hoffenheim lose the game against Fulham
Hoffenheim bot a poor performance in their final warm-up match ahead of the new season, losing 0:2 to Premier League side Fulham. The Bundesliga team missed Maximilian Beier, who is on the verge of joining Borussia Dortmund, and the game ended with Emile Smith-Rowe (33') and Adama Traoré scoring for the visitors in front of 9,200 spectators at the PreZero Arena.
Earlier in the day, both teams had played a closed-door friendly, which saw some players rested for the second match. Beier, who is close to a move to Dortmund, did not feature in either game. Hoffenheim had announced this before kick-off.
"TSG Hoffenheim is, as previously known, in advanced talks regarding a player transfer and has therefore decided not to include Maximilian Beier in today's matchday squad," the club stated on their platform.
In the second game, Hoffenheim dominated proceedings and showed good spirit, but chances were scarce. Fulham's goalkeeper Bernd Leno had little to do. Defensively, Hoffenheim was solid, but they struggled at the crucial moments, allowing the visitors to score.
FC Fulham managed to capitalize on Hoffenheim's defensive lapses in the second game, eventually securing another victory. The absence of Maximilian Beier, who was likely bound for Borussia Dortmund, was noticeable in Hoffenheim's strategy.
