Fulham 2-1 Hoffenheim

Fulham finished off their pre-season with a win on Saturday, beating German side Hoffenheim 2-1 at Craven Cottage.

It was our two new recruits who got on the scoresheet, with Raúl firing us ahead before Calvin Bassey headed home to restore our lead after a setback.

Willian and Harry Wilson were the preferred options out wide, with Bobby De Cordova-Reid given the license to roam just in front of Harrison Reed and Saša Lukić.

After picking up a knock in our previous game, Tom Cairney was absent from the squad as he continues to work his way back to full fitness.

Bassey got the crowd applauding a few minutes in as Fulham looked to gain early control, cleverly swivelling on the ball to lose his man.

The visitors had the first chance soon after, though, when Kramarić was released through on goal. Thankfully, the Croatian’s attempted chip was poor and easily caught by Bernd Leno.

We responded well and came close ourselves on 9 minutes. Willian’s in-swinging corner was headed just over by Raúl, who leaped well.

Hoffenheim’s Grischa Prömel found himself in a good position after latching onto a decent delivery from the left-hand side, but his attempt right in front of goal was mis-hit and rolled wide.

Another chance went their way a minute later, when Marius Bulter saw his low effort slide just wide of the far post after an incredible back heel to put him through.

Raúl came close again following some neat build-up play down the left, but despite being at full stretch, he couldn’t quite connect with De Cordova-Reid’s pacey delivery. Robinson followed up with a half-volley from range which sailed over.

Bar a De Cordova-Reid strike which was fired straight at Baumann, there were no more major chances in the first half and the two sides went in at the break goalless. 

The deadlock was broken six minutes into the second half, and it was a first Fulham goal for Raúl. After some brilliant build-up, Robinson swung in a delicious low cross which was tapped home by the Mexican who made a clever run.

Unfortunately our lead lasted just five minutes, with Prömel powering a header past Leno after getting himself on the end of an impressive first-time cross from the left.

With the score still levelled as the game approached its final 20 minutes, Marco opted for a change of personnel, bringing on Aleksandar Mitrović and Andreas in place of Raúl and Willian.

Our second Cottage debutant Bassey joined Raùl in getting on the scoresheet 73 minutes in. The powerful centre-back, who enjoyed an excellent game, leaped highest to nod home from an Andreas corner.

De Cordova-Reid linked up nicely with Mitro late on, but the former had his low square pass roll across the face of goal without a player in white on hand to finish.

A solid performance in our final pre-season match and great impact from our recent signings. The lads now look forward to their Premier League opener against Everton next weekend.