Norwich City 0-1 Magdeburg: Six things you might have missed

1 - Spoilt for choice

In case anyone needed confirmation of the density of centre-backs available to Johannes Hoff Thorup, he named seven in his matchday squad for the German side's visit.

Jacob Sorensen and Grant Hanley started at the heart of defence, with substitute appearances coming for Shane Duffy, Jaden Warner, Jose Cordoba and Brad Hills. The promising Emmanuel Adegboyega didn't even make it onto the pitch, and by the end of the game the septet had been spread all over the pitch.

In one way that’s a major positive: the talent in depth at City’s disposal is clear, an especially encouraging element given the number of young players included in that group.

But decisions will soon have to be made by Thorup, as he trims his squad down to a lean pack of promotion chasers. He hinted post-match at the need to do so, and said it would take time to make his final judgments.

With just over a month left of the transfer window, however, he doesn’t have too long to sort the wheat from the chaff.

Shane Duffy was one of seven centre-backs in the Canaries' matchday squad (Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd)

2 – Sara the striker

Gabriel Sara has played in a variety of positions and a plethora of roles since moving to Norfolk in 2022, but he’s rarely been deployed as an out-and-out striker.

That was where he featured against Magdeburg nonetheless, at least for the final 40 minutes or so.

Chiefly it underlined the current state of the striking department at Norwich, with all three of his more attack-minded colleagues watching on from the sidelines in official club casual wear.

It also highlighted that, wherever players are initially stationed, they’ll find the areas they’re comfortable in. He was still searching for the ball deep in own half after Liam Gibbs’ introduction meant his seconding up front, and in truth was fairly effective.

A man as well-planned as Thorup is unlikely to change his system based on one individual’s encouraging stint in a pre-season friendly, but the Brazilian did look like a fairly adept false nine. By now that should probably be a surprise to nobody.

Gabriel Sara played up front for 40 minutes (Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd)

3 – Off the pace

It hasn’t been a great pre-season so far for Abu Kamara, who returned to Norwich a beacon of hope after an impressive season on loan at League One Portsmouth.

Although there were better signs in the 1-1 draw with Standard Liege, it’s largely been a tepid summer of expectation management and time on the periphery of games.

That continued against FCM, aided by a central role that didn’t suit him. His physical opposition levered almost every ball he attempted to control away, and when he did manage to find possession in good positions he appeared rushed.

Much like the new era at large, Kamara’s development will require patience. He’s learning both a new system and a new league at the same time, and for any player that’s a difficult task.

But any illusion that he could simply step into the striking void melted away on Friday evening, even if there’s still plenty of time for the 20-year-old to catch fire.

4 – Loud and proud

Even though there was a surprisingly low attendance on the night, there can’t have been too many louder pre-season friendlies than City’s second defeat of the summer.

Much of that was down to their 2. Bundesliga opponents, who brought 350 fans keen to make the most of their trip abroad.

One corner of the Barclay responded in turn to create a strange microclimate of noise around the stadium’s Holiday Inn, and even if it wasn’t enough to inspire a home victory, it wowed Thorup during his official debut at the stadium.

The Magdeburg fans made plenty of noise (Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd)

5 – Stacey’s off day

The temptation when things don’t go to plan offensively is to look at traditionally attacking players, but there was another key operator who failed to make his usual mark in the opposition half.

Jack Stacey has been a major outlet for Thorup thus far, continuing the fine form he found under David Wagner to be a major driving force of the new era.

Much of that drive and involvement was missing against Christian Titz’ side, however, with Jonathan Rowe often going it alone and Stacey’s trademark overlaps rare.

In the grand scheme of things that means very little; the 28-year-old is the sort of resilient personality who will quickly recover from one off day in pre-season. But it served to highlight quite how important he’s become to the new system already, and the role he could play going forward.

6 – Back at his best

There may be transfer speculation swirling and doubts around his future, but Rowe hasn’t let it affect his pre-season performances.

He started with an early double against Northampton and has taken that into the subsequent three games, continuing to provide his blend of athletic running and nimble ball work.

The Magdeburg defeat was the latest of those, with the 21-year-old often spearheading the attack and winning countless individual battles.

In the first half alone he sent one effort whistling wide and teed Borja Sainz up well for another, looking dangerous in the second before being replaced midway through it.

Any questions over his focus have been swiftly dealt with, and he’s offered a timely reminder as to why he’s been the centre of attention in recent months.