Esbjerg vs Aarhus Fremad

Esbjerg struggled to find rhythm in the opening 45 minutes. Manager Sancheev Manoharan fielded a strong starting XI including William Lykke in goal and a midfield axis of Lasse Vigen and Gustav Grubbe, but the home side repeatedly found their final ball lacking pace and precision. Distances between midfield and the front line — led by Marcus Hansen — grew too large, forcing Esbjerg to restart attacks from deep. Aarhus Fremad enjoyed spells of possession themselves but failed to test Lykke, and the teams went in goalless at the break.

Esbjerg emerged with renewed energy after the interval. Manoharan made 11 changes at half-time, introducing fresh legs across the pitch. The most impactful was striker Muamer Brajanac, who occupied the Aarhus Fremad defence, held the ball up effectively and created space for those around him.

The breakthrough came in the 68th minute. Tjørnelund arrived late into the box to finish a well-worked Esbjerg move, slotting home to make it 1-0. The goal gave the hosts a lift, and they continued to push Aarhus Fremad back without creating clear-cut chances.

Aarhus Fremad attempted to respond but found Esbjerg's defence — marshalled by Lykke, who kept a clean sheet on his first start for the club — well organised.

In the 90th minute, Kruse put the result beyond doubt. The forward found himself in the right place at the right time to bundle the ball over the line, sealing a 2-0 victory that felt comfortable if not emphatic.

Manoharan's rotation policy. The head coach changed all 11 outfield players at half-time, underlining the pre-season priority of building match fitness across the squad rather than chasing a result. Eleven substitutes were introduced in total, with Benicio Pena replacing Lykke on the hour mark.

Brajanac's impact. The striker's physical presence after the interval changed the game's dynamic. He was a constant outlet, occupying the visitors' centre-backs and creating room for Tjørnelund's run from midfield. His performance was the catalyst for the improved second half.

Clean sheet for Lykke. The new signing from the youth ranks was relatively untroubled in the first half but commanded his area well, organising the back line effectively. A solid start to his senior pre-season.

The result closes the first, physically demanding block of Esbjerg's pre-season programme. The focus now turns to the next phase before the competitive season begins.

Esbjerg kick off their 2026/27 campaign at home to Kolding IF at Blue Water Arena on Saturday 25 July at 15:00 local time. Aarhus Fremad continue their own preparations with a friendly against Hobro IK on 26 July.

A functional pre-season workout rather than a spectacle. Esbjerg's sluggish first half showed there is still sharpness to find, but the response after the break — driven by Brajanac's physicality and capped by two well-taken goals — offered encouraging signs for Manoharan with three weeks still to go before the season opener.