With Queens Park Rangers heading out to Germany earlier in the week as we continue our pre-season preparations ahead of the coming 2018/19 Championship campaign, Saturday evening saw us face Champions League qualifiers Hoffenheim.
🗣 'They worked their socks off'
After two tough games, John Eustace couldn't fault the #RsInGermany this weekend. pic.twitter.com/ehpHiWK4wN
— QPR FC (@QPR) July 22, 2018
Taking to the pitch on Saturday evening at the Hugo Koch Stadion, QPR had to battle back from two goals down to secure the draw. Goals came from Toni Leistner and Ryan Manning after our hosts had taken the advantage in the match.
Hoffenheim hit twice in each half as David Otto gave our Bundesliga opponents the lead and whilst it’s all about fitness, manager Steve McClaren will take the positives from seeing the side dig in and come up with the fightback as that will boost confidence and spirits even if there’s disappointment from going two down initially.
QPR:
Ingram, Kakay, Leistner, Lynch, Bidwell, Scowen, Luongo (Manning 46), Cousins (Osayi-Samuel 70), Eze, Smith (Washington 46), Freeman.
Booked – Scowen.
Goals – Leistner (80), Manning (88).
🇩🇪 BFG, @ToniLeistner! #RsInGermany pic.twitter.com/johCvRfrPu
— QPR FC (@QPR) July 21, 2018
💥 @ryanmanning4#RsInGermany pic.twitter.com/HrL8y241A5
— QPR FC (@QPR) July 21, 2018
🗣 @ryanmanning4 gave his reaction after completing #QPR's comeback against Hoffenheim.
▶️ https://t.co/Gq7k6gLvwS#RsInGermany pic.twitter.com/If8kKBDUQY
— QPR FC (@QPR) July 21, 2018
The draw saw us go into Sunday’s behind closed doors fixture against the same side unbeaten so far in our summer’s build up.
Sunday did see our first defeat though as the German side took a 3-0 win and we couldn’t battle back this one. They took the lead through Phillip Ochs, and Kevin Akpoguma and Adam Szalai added two more goals in the second half to secure the victory. We did have opportunities in the game but failed to take them. Giles Phillips did limp off with injury ahead of the halftime break but hopefully, that won’t be too serious an issue for him.
QPR now head back to London ahead of friendly with fellow German outfit Union Berlin next weekend.
QPR:
Lumley, Owens, Baptiste (Wheeler 38), Phillips, Hamalainen, Manning, Wszolek, Chair, Smyth (Smith 51), Sylla, Washington (Oteh 46).
Booked – Manning.
