Borussia Dortmund have named their starting eleven for Saturday’s pre-season friendly against Fortuna Düsseldorf at the Merkur Spiel-Arena. The fixture represents the Black and Yellows’ second warm-up match of the summer as manager Niko Kovac continues to evaluate his options ahead of the competitive campaign.
Squad Absences
The Bundesliga outfit will be without four senior figures who only recently returned to training. Felix Nmecha, Waldemir Anton, Maximilian Beier and Daniel Svensson all reported back on Friday following their involvement in the World Cup. The quartet have been rested for this engagement as they rebuild fitness after international exertions.
In their absence, Justin Lerma and Takato Yamamoto command attention. The Ecuadorian midfielder and Japanese winger both earn starting berths, offering opportunities to impress the coaching staff ahead of the new term.
Confirmed Lineups
Serhou Guirassy wears the armband for the visitors, leading the line in a squad that blends youth and experience.
Fortuna Düsseldorf: Rieß; Heintz, Bouchama, Hendrix (c), Hottmann; Consbruch, Schleusener, Zimmermann, Risch; Arden, E. Egouli.
Substitutes: Lord, Van der Sloot, Eixler, Oberdorf, Benger, Goncalves, Meiser, Paulina, Sauck, Slimani, Mentzel, Amaniampong, N. Egouli, Tito.
Borussia Dortmund: Meyer; Gadou, Mane, Albert, Kabar; Yamamoto, Duarte, Azhil, Riedl, Mirza; Guirassy (c).
Substitutes: Drewes, Couto, Bellingham, Fabio Silva, Lerma, Inacio, Benkara, Reggiani, Wessels, Ritter, Adje, Faust.
Pre-season Schedules
The hosts compete in the 3. Liga and enjoy a more advanced stage of preparation than their opponents. Fortuna Düsseldorf’s league programme for 2026/27 commences on 7 August, leaving them less than a fortnight before competitive action resumes.
For Dortmund, this encounter provides another valuable opportunity to build match rhythm and tactical cohesion. The fixture allows fringe players and academy prospects to gain senior minutes as they attempt to secure roles once the Bundesliga campaign begins.