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SportsBorussia Mönchengladbach to Face Ex-Player Noah Pesch in Pre-Season Friendly
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Borussia Mönchengladbach will play a pre-season friendly against third-division side Rot-Weiss Essen on Saturday, which includes a reunion with former Gladbach player Noah Pesch. The 21-year-old German-Croatian forward left Gladbach during the summer break after a loan spell at 1. FC Magdeburg and joined Essen. Pesch previously impressed for Gladbach's U23 team in the Regionalliga West, scoring 20 goals and providing 9 assists in 30 games, earning him the Player of the Season award. He made his only Bundesliga appearance for Gladbach in the 2024/25 season against Mainz. The article also notes that Gladbach will face another ex-player, Rocco Reitz, in their Bundesliga opener against RB Leipzig on August 29. Gladbach's sports director Rouven Schröder praised Pesch's potential and wished him success at Essen.
Source report
At the start of the Bundesliga season on August 29, Borussia Mönchengladbach will face RB Leipzig — a match that marks a reunion with former Gladbach veteran Rocco Reitz (24). The midfielder, who captained the Foals for nearly the entire previous season, moved to the Champions League club for approximately €20 million. However, an even quicker reunion with another ex-Borusse is on the horizon.
Test Match Against RW Essen
On Saturday (2 PM), Gladbach will play their second pre-season friendly, this time against third-division side RW Essen. The match follows a 6–0 victory over Oberliga side Wuppertaler SV.
Since this summer, Noah Pesch (21) has been playing for Essen. The forward quietly left Gladbach during the break after a loan spell at second-division club 1. FC Magdeburg.
Sports Director's Comments
Sports director Rouven Schröder (50) commented on Pesch's move to RWE:
"Noah showed in his first year with us in the Regionalliga what a good footballer he is. It's no coincidence he was named Player of the Season in the Regionalliga West. During his loan to Magdeburg, he also showed he has the tools for a sustainable career in professional football. We wish him every success at Rot-Weiss Essen and look forward to seeing him again in the test match during this summer preparation."
Pesch's Career at Gladbach
In summer 2024, the German-Croatian moved from Bayer Leverkusen's U19 to Gladbach's U23 team — and made an immediate impact:
- 30 goals and 9 assists in his first season
- 20 goals in 30 games
- Named Player of the Season in the Regionalliga West
His performances earned him a professional contract and a Bundesliga debut on matchday 25 of the 2024/25 season, when he was substituted on late in a home game against 1. FSV Mainz 05. That appearance remained his only top-flight outing for the Foals.
Source
BILD - SportWestern
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Borussia Mönchengladbach to Face Ex-Player Noah Pesch in Pre-Season Test