Borussia Dortmund suffered a painful pre-season defeat against Fortuna Düsseldorf, losing 1-2 in their final test before the Japan tour. The match was overshadowed by early injuries to two young talents.
What happened in the match?
Dortmund took an early lead through Mathis Albert (21st minute), but Düsseldorf equalized in the 50th minute when Fabian Schleusener headed in from a free kick. The hosts then took the lead for good in the 79th minute, as Anas Slimani finished neatly after a swift counterattack. The second half saw Düsseldorf grow into the game and capitalize on their chances far more effectively than Dortmund did.
Why the loss stings for Dortmund
This was Dortmund’s second pre-season test ahead of the 2026/27 campaign, which kicks off on August 15. Last season ended with Dortmund as Bundesliga runners-up with 73 points from 34 games, 16 points behind Bayern Munich. Their final five games before the summer break had seen four wins (WWWWL), but against Düsseldorf, consistency was missing. The bitter pill was compounded by injuries to Elias Benkara (19) and Enzo Duarte (17), both forced off early. Exact diagnoses are still pending.
Lessons from the game
The first half showed flashes of promise, but after the break, Dortmund lost control. The defense looked shaky on fast breaks, and the attack failed to create clear chances late on. In the 90th minute, Inacio had a golden opportunity to level the score, but Lasse Rieß made a crucial save. Manager Edin Terzić will now focus on tightening the defensive structure ahead of the challenges in the 3. Liga.
What’s next?
Dortmund fly to Japan on Monday for two more test matches. The Black-Yellows currently sit second in the Bundesliga, 16 points behind Bayern Munich. The 2026/27 season kicks off for them on August 15 with an away trip to Union Berlin. The loss to Düsseldorf should serve as a wake-up call, as the competition won’t be easing up. With Nico Schlotterbeck still sidelined, squad depth will need to be addressed in the coming weeks.
