SG Wattenscheid 09 vs Germania Ratingen

Czapp kept his starting XI on the pitch for 70 minutes — a clear signal he was using this final friendly to build match fitness in his likely first-choice lineup. But that decision backfired.

In the 70th minute, Wattenscheid lost possession in midfield and were caught on the counter. A single pass released Lukas Korytowski through on goal, and he slid the ball past Joshua Mroß into the far corner to restore Ratingen's lead at 1-2.

Moments later, Wattenscheid pushed for an equaliser. Eduard Renke struck the crossbar from distance with a powerful effort that may have taken a touch from substitute goalkeeper Leon Klußmann. But the hosts could not find a way through Ratingen's well-organised defensive block.

Ratingen sealed the result in the 83rd minute. A corner was not cleared properly, and A. Gusic reacted quickest at the near post to force the ball over the line, making it 1-3.

Lukas Korytowski (Germania Ratingen) — The decisive goal was a textbook counter-attacking finish, but his movement throughout stretched Wattenscheid's back line. A constant threat on the transition.

Kevin Schacht (SG Wattenscheid 09) — Composed from the penalty spot to level the scores before half-time. Worked hard as a forward target but was starved of service in the second half.

Eduard Renke (SG Wattenscheid 09) — Wattenscheid's most creative outlet. Came closest to an equaliser with a dipping strike that rattled the crossbar from 20 yards.

Player of the Match: Lukas Korytowski — His goal changed the game's momentum and his all-round contribution in the final third gave Wattenscheid persistent problems.

The match was a tale of two halves of very different quality. Wattenscheid competed well in the first 45 minutes, winning a penalty and creating several set-piece opportunities. But the second half told a different story: Czapp's reluctance to rotate until the 63rd minute (and then only in defence) left his midfield exposed as fatigue set in.

Ratingen's two second-half goals came from a counter-attack and a set-piece — the precise areas Wattenscheid will need to sharpen before the Regionalliga campaign begins. The visitors' defensive shape, praised by their own coaching staff in the live ticker, kept Wattenscheid to speculative efforts after the break.

For SG Wattenscheid 09, this was the seventh and final pre-season friendly under new coach Przemek Czapp ahead of the Regionalliga West season. The 1-3 defeat leaves questions about defensive cohesion, particularly in transition. The league campaign starts on 1 August 2026.

Germania Ratingen, playing their fifth pre-season match, face a different timetable. As an Oberliga Niederrhein side, they began pre-season later than Wattenscheid and will look to build on this result. Their next fixture was not confirmed at the time of writing.

A concerning dress rehearsal for Wattenscheid. The scoreline flattered Ratingen slightly — the hosts hit the woodwork and had legitimate penalty shouts — but the second-half drop-off was predictable for a side still integrating six new signings. Ratingen were organised, efficient and deserved the win. Czapp has work to do before the real action begins.