Second division soccer team 1. FC Magdeburg played a test against Bundesliga side VfL Bochum as part of their season opener. In front of 5,554 spectators, the teams drew 1-1 (1-1) in midsummer temperatures. Moritz Broschinski (7th) put Bochum in front, Martjn Kaars (30th) equalized. It was the second draw in a row for Magdeburg.
Magdeburg started with four newcomers in the starting eleven - Philipp Hercher, Marcus Mathisen, Kaars and Abu Bekir El-Zein - and initially got into the game better. A build-up mistake put them behind (7'). FCM then had problems with the visitors' pressing, but equalized after a drink break (30'). FCM could have turned the game around before the break, with Baris Atik hitting the crossbar (35') and post (43'). Bochum changed all their outfield players at the break, but FCM kept their starting line-up. The game now flattened out, with both sides failing to produce any dangerous approaches, and even a five-man substitution on the Magdeburg side did nothing to remedy the situation.
