Borussia Dortmund lost a test match against the Second Division relegation team Fortuna Düsseldorf with a score of 1:2 in front of 23,300 fans just before their trip to Japan. In a lineup primarily consisting of young players, Mathis Albert scored for Borussia Dortmund after a preparation by Alexander Meyer in the 20th minute. New signing Fabian Schleusener equalized for Düsseldorf in the 50th minute, and Anas Slimani secured the victory for Fortuna in the 79th minute.
BVB coach Niko Kovač made one complete substitution at halftime and brought on new signings Joane Gadou, Serhou Guirassy, Fábio Silva, and Jobe Bellingham. These players provided some of Borussia's key performers to the lineup.
Düsseldorf: Saisonstart gegen Mannheim
Fortuna Düsseldorf's coach Alexander Ende also made significant changes in his newly formed squad after relegation from the 2nd Bundesliga. With a successful test match under their belt, Fortuna will start their third-tier league season against Waldhof Mannheim on August 7th.
BVB in Asia
Following the test matches against RW Oberhausen and Fortuna Düsseldorf, Borussia Dortmund is now preparing for an overseas trip to Japan: For the fourth time since 2015, 2017, and 2024, the Black-Yellows will embark on a pre-season tour in Asia. German internationals Felix Nmecha, Waldemar Anton, and Maximilian Beier as well as Daniel Svensson (Sweden) will be part of this trip.
However, national team players Gregor Kobel (Switzerland), Ramy Bensebaini (Algeria), Julian Ryerson (Norway), Marcel Sabitzer (Austria), and injured players Nico Schlotterbeck and Emre Can will not fly to Japan. Before their Bundesliga opener against Hamburger SV on August 29th, Borussia is still set for the Supercup match against double champion Bayern Munich on August 22nd.
