Dortmund recover from early setback to seal comeback victory
Borussia Dortmund began their pre-season preparations with a 3-1 comeback victory over Regionalliga West side Rot-Weiß Oberhausen. The Bundesliga outfit conceded early to the fourth-tier club but responded through goals from debutant Justin Lerma, Serhou Guirassy and Takato Yamamoto.
The hosts stunned Niko Kovac’s side when they intercepted a clearance from goalkeeper Alexander Meyer to take the lead. The Croat coach watched his team find an equaliser shortly before the interval. Ecuadorian midfielder Lerma marked his first appearance by converting a rebound after an initial effort from American youth international Mathis Albert had been blocked.
Experimental line-up features youth prospects
With eleven senior internationals still absent following World Cup participation, Dortmund relied heavily on academy talent and fringe players. Jobe Bellingham and Fabio Silva played the first 45 minutes, before Kovac changed his entire team for the second period. French defender Joane Gadou made his first appearance for the senior side during this interval.
Guirassy, the Guinea international striker, put Dortmund ahead ten minutes after the restart with a composed finish. The victory was secured when Japanese midfielder Yamamoto, who arrived on a one-year loan from Gamba Osaka for the youth team, combined with 16-year-old Marawan Omir Mirza before finding the net.
Brazilian defender Yan Couto, who is expected to leave the club during the current transfer window, also featured in the opening period. Italian youngsters Filippo Mane, Luca Reggiani and Samuele Inacio were also involved as the match featured representatives from fourteen different nationalities.
Japan tour and Emirates Cup next on agenda
The result provides a positive start to a demanding summer itinerary. The squad will shortly depart for Japan, where they are scheduled to face Cerezo Osaka and FC Tokyo in friendly encounters.
Upon their return to Europe, they will compete in the Emirates Cup against Arsenal and AS Roma. The pre-season schedule concludes with the Franz Beckenbauer Supercup against domestic rivals Bayern Munich, which serves as the traditional curtain-raiser for the German football season.