Chris Wilder said Sheffield United’s trip to Bochum should be judged in the context of their wider pre-season preparation, rather than solely by the result. The visit ended with an outcome he regarded as positive, while also giving the manager a chance to assess his squad before the new Championship campaign.

The friendly was played in Bochum as part of the German club’s season-opening event and reflected the long-standing partnership between the two cities. Bochum and Sheffield marked 75 years of civic links in 2025, and the match brought together two traditional clubs from physical, competitive second-tier leagues.