An eventful 2017 - Year Review, Part 2

The second half of the calendar year also has plenty highlights for Die Roten Bullen to look back on. In part two of our year review, we recap on the journey between July and December.

July:

In July, our boys began preseason training. Before heading off to the summer training camp, Die Roten Bullen ticked off two friendly goalfests against Meuselwitz (6-0) and Dessau (7-0).

With five new signings on board, the RBL squad travelled to the summer training camp in Seefeld. Aside from the usual training sessions, a friendly against Konyaspor was on the agenda, which we were able to win 1-0.

Next up was the Emirates Cup, where we were served our first preseason defeat by Sevilla in the opening game (1-0). In the second game, we came out 2-0 winners against Benfica.

To round off the preseason, we were beaten 2-1 in our dress rehearsal against Stoke City at the Red Bull Arena. All in all though, it was a decent preseason in preparation for our first season in the Champions League!

We were able to beat Benfica 2-0 in the Emirates Cup.

Die Roten Bullen were beaten 2-1 by Stoke in a pre-season friendly in the Red Bull Arena.

August:

In August, Bundesliga football was back. When Die Roten Bullen welcomed Freiburg on the second matchday of the season, the team made it a perfect opening home game with a 4-1 win.

September:

Expedition Europa begins! In September we celebrated our Champions League debut against As Monaco. Pure goosebumps in the Red Bull Arena when the famous UEFA anthem played for the first time. Emil Forsberg carried his name into the history books with the club’s first ever Champions league goal and the team were able to get a 1-1 draw from the game.

October:

Contract extension for Willi Orban, 3-2 win in Dortmund, Champions League home game against Porto and the Bayern week – October had it all.

Particularly memorable was the cup tie against Bayern München in the Red Bull Arena, where Die Roten Bullen, a man down for 60 minutes eventually lost 6-5 on penalties. The fans showed passion, fight and desire for the entire 120 minutes, but luck was not on our side: In the penalty shootout, we were stopped by Bayern 'keeper Sven Ulreich.

November:

In November, nine RBL boys were on international duty. Alongside Timo Werner, left back Marcel Halstenberg was called up to the Germany squad for the friendlies. The Leipzig man made his international debut against England.

Yussuf Poulsen (Denmark) and Emil Forsberg (Sweden) were in action for their countries in the World Cup playoffs. Both managed to book their tickets for the finals in Russia.

Elsewhere, Bruma celebrated his international debut for Portugal.

Emil Forsberg and Sweden beat Italy to book their ticket to the World Cup

Yussuf Poulsen also qualified for the World Cup along with Denmark

December:

Dominik Kaiser breaks a club record! In the Champions League game against Besiktas, our number 24 was brought on in the second half for his Champions League debut, and his 164th competitive appearance for Die Roten Bullen. From division 4 to the Champions League, all with one club!