Friendlies Clubs· Season 2026
VfR Aalen twice came from behind to earn a 2-2 draw against SG Sonnenhof Großaspach in a pre-season friendly at the CENTUS-Arena on 21 July 2026.
Match Analysis
AI SummaryHow it unfolded
Großaspach struck inside four minutes through Volkan Celiktas, but Aalen responded almost immediately as Dean Melo levelled in the 10th minute, leaving the score 1-1 at half-time.
The pattern repeated in the second half. Lukas Stoppel put the visitors ahead again in the 53rd minute, only for Aalen to hit back. Michael Kleinschrodt converted a penalty in the 59th minute to make it 2-2, a scoreline that held until full-time.
The turning point
The penalty award was the decisive moment. Großaspach had regained control through Stoppel's finish six minutes earlier and looked capable of seeing out the win. Kleinschrodt's spot-kick, however, restored parity and denied the third-tier side what would have been a routine victory against a Regionalliga Südwest opponent.
Key performers
Dean Melo (VfR Aalen) — scored the equaliser inside 10 minutes, settling any early nerves after Celiktas's opener.
Michael Kleinschrodt (VfR Aalen) — kept his composure from the penalty spot to secure the draw for the hosts.
Lukas Stoppel (SG Sonnenhof Großaspach) — put his side ahead twice; his 53rd-minute finish was the best individual moment of the night.
Volkan Celiktas (SG Sonnenhof Großaspach) — opened the scoring inside four minutes, giving the visitors the ideal start.
By the numbers — interpreted
The 2-2 scoreline reflected a game of two halves, each following the same script: Großaspach scored first, Aalen answered. The half-time score of 1-1 and the full-time 2-2 suggest neither side dominated for sustained periods. Aalen's willingness to press after conceding — they equalised within six minutes of each Großaspach goal — points to encouraging fitness and mentality for a fourth-tier side in pre-season. For Großaspach, twice failing to protect a lead against a team from a division below will be a concern as they build towards the 3. Liga season.
What it means
This was a pre-season friendly with no standings implications. For VfR Aalen, the draw against a higher-division opponent is a useful marker ahead of their Regionalliga Südwest opener on 8 August. They host 1. FC Saarbrücken in another test on 26 July. SG Sonnenhof Großaspach continue their preparations against 2. Bundesliga side Darmstadt 98 on Saturday, followed by the start of their 3. Liga campaign.
Rivalry since 2015
VfR Aalen vs SG Sonnenhof Grossaspach Head to Head Results· 14
VfR Aalen and SG Sonnenhof Grossaspach have met 14 times — VfR Aalen won 3, SG Sonnenhof Grossaspach won 6, with 5 draws. Their rivalry dates back to 2015. SG Sonnenhof Grossaspach leads the head-to-head with 6 victories from 14 meetings. A combined 33 goals have been scored across these fixtures, averaging 2.36 per match (15 for the home side, 18 for the visitors). Both teams scored in 7 matches (50%). Over 2.5 goals landed in 5 games (36%), making it a fixture that tends to produce goals. SG Sonnenhof Grossaspach are currently unbeaten in the last 3 meetings. The highest-scoring encounter finished 3–2 in 2021.
Statistics are for informational purposes only. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
API data: 22 Jul 2026