Borussia Munchengladbach 5 - 2 Aberdeen

Venue: Grenzlandstadion

Borussia Mönchengladbach 5 v Aberdeen 2 (Grenzlandstadion , KO 3.30pm local time) FT

Rupp 20, Leckie 46, 80, Hanke 74, 76; Magennis 11, Pawlett 87

Milsom Sent off 90

Aberdeen suffered a disappointing pre-season loss this afternoon in Germany after a five minute second half spell where they lost three goals. However the score line was not a true reflection of the game and the Dons were not helped by some 'extremely poor' refereeing. Aberdeen played well in the first half and very unlucky to go in level. In second half Borussia scored a blatant offside goal and were wrongly given a penalty. Rob Milsom was then harshly sent off on the stroke of full time. There was some concern after the game that Rob would now be suspended for the first game of the SPL season but thankfully we do not believe that this will be the case.

Dons boss Craig Brown handed new Colombian keeper David Gonzalez his first start at the Grenzlandstadion. In front of him Clark Robertson, who has impressed the manager during pre-season, came into the side along with Paton, Fyvie, Magennis and Mackie. The rest of the squad were all on the bench except McArdle, Megginson and Langfield.

Just before kick off torrential rain hit the stadium and the 40 or so Aberdeen fans got completely soaked as they were in the uncovered part of the ground. Thankfully the pitch stood up well to the Monsoon.

The home side had a good chance in the game's first attack when Raul Bobadilla headed over from close range. Aberdeen then took control of the game and were the better team in the opening 20 minutes. Therefore when they took the lead just after the 10^th minute it was deserved and what a goal it was. Josh Magennis netted a wonder goal from almost the halfway line. Borussia keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen made a bit of a hash with a clearance and sliced the ball straight to Magennis. The Northern Ireland striker hit it first time, sending the ball straight into the empty net from fully 50 yards.

Borussia Monchengladbach equalised in the 19th minute when Lukas Rupp nipped in at the back post to side foot home the ball home after a fantastic cross from the left back. Clark Robertson kept the Dons in front when he put in an excellent sliding block on Thorben Marx, who was only ten yards out. Gonzalez then made a fine save from Brazilian free kick specialist Dante as the Germans came back into the game.

Bobadilla then had a good chance to put the Germans ahead after some poor Dons defending but the striker shot wide.

HT

At half time Rob Milsom replaced fellow Englishman Issac Osbourne. Issac had a good first half and he looks like he will be an excellent signing for the Dons.

Aberdeen went behind a minute into the second half when Youl Mawene lost out to Borussia's half time sub Matthew Leckie and the Australian striker beat Gonzalez with a well-placed finish.

On 57 minutes Ryan jack replaced fellow youngster Clark Robertson.

Darren Mackie, who has scored two goals in his first two pre-season games, came close to equalising in the 68th minute following a well worked move after Richard Foster made one of his trade mark bursts forward, but his effort was blocked.

On 69 minutes Pawlett came on for Fyvie and Mackie came on for Vernon.

Aberdeen pushed hard for an equaliser but it as the Germans who scored two goals in two minutes in hugely controversial circumstances. Mike Hankle netted in the 71st minute but he was a mile off side. And the same player then scored a spot kick, given when captain Foster was adjudged to have pushed Leckie in the box. Another appalling decision.

Leckie got his second and made it five with about 15 minutes left.

In the closing stages Jordon Brown came on for Paton and Nicky Low replaced Magennis. There was some consolation for the Dons when Pawlett scored with a few minutes left.

Aberdeen's disappointing day was completed when Rob Milson was sent off in injury time after a second booking. His sending off was extremely harsh, especially as there was only 10 seconds to go.

ABERDEEN: Gonzalez, Foster, Considine, Mawene, Clark, Robertson (Jack 57), Osbourne (Milsom 46), Fyvie (Pawlett 69), Paton (Brown 86), Magennis (Low 86), Mackie (Vernon 69).

ATT: 2,200

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After the game Craig spoke to Steven from Northsound.

"I never criticise referees so I am not going to start now. All I would say is that the Scottish referee's are unfairly maligned at times when you see the performance of some of the referees in Europe.

"I thought we played very well in the first half. We made some changes which affect the balance of the team but these games are all about giving players a run out for fitness. For example we took Issac Osbourne off who was very competitive in the midfield.

"When you look at the results we have had over here they maybe don't look too good but you see today that Rangers were beaten 3-0 by Bochum and they were the luckiest team alive to beat us. I am not saying Borussia should not have won today but they should never have won by a three goal margin.

"They are a Bundesliga side and the teams in that league are of a similar level to teams in the English Premier League. I thought we were at their level for periods of the game and with a few breaks we might have scored more.

"To lose 5 goals is disappointing but one of them was a very doubtful penalty and the other one the player was clearly offside. The score line is not a relaxation of the way the game went.

"I would ask the fans not to read too much into the scoreline. The players are gaining in fitness. We have another very difficult game coming up against Villarreal but by the time the SPL starts we will be right on track for the start of the season."