Dortmund Beat Oberhausen 3-1 In First Pre-Season Match

Comback Wins Over Regionalliga Opposition

Borussia Dortmund turned around an early deficit to secure a 3‑1 victory in their first pre‑season clash, facing fourth‑tier Regionalliga West side Rot‑Weiß Oberhausen. The visitors seized the lead after intercepting Alexander Meyer’s clearance, but Niko Kovac’s men responded with three goals before the final whistle. The result showcases Dortmund’s ability to find rhythm despite missing many senior stars.

Justin Lerma, the Ecuadorian midfielder making his debut for the Yellow and Blacks, equalised just before half‑time when a shot from US youth international Mathis Albert ricocheted toward him. The Croatian coach fielded a completely different lineup in the second half, giving Frenchman Joane Gadou his first appearance for the club. This shift highlighted the coach’s intent to evaluate a broader pool of talent.

Mid‑Half Goals and Youth Talent Spotlight

Serhou Guirassy, a regular at the highest level, opened the scoring ten minutes after the restart, striking with his trademark confidence. Takato Yamamoto, a new Japanese signing on a one‑year loan from Gamba Osaka, sealed the win after linking up with 16‑year‑old Marawan Omir Mirza in a quick counter. The Iranian youngster’s involvement signals Dortmund’s investment in young prospects.

With 11 of its players still recovering from World Cup duties, Dortmund was forced to rely heavily on youth and fringe options. Jobe Bellingham and Fabio Silva started the first 45 minutes, while Italian trio Filippo Mane, Luca Reggiani and Samuele Inacio also featured. Brazilian right‑back Yan Couto, expected to move on this summer, played the opening half before being replaced.

Next Steps: Tour of Japan and European Friendlies

Dortmund’s roster spanned 14 nationalities in this outing, reflecting the global reach of the club. The next stop for the Yellow and Blacks is Japan, where they will meet Cerezo Osaka and FC Tokyo in a series of warm‑up matches. Following the Asian tour, the team heads to London for the Emirates Cup, facing Arsenal and AS Roma.

The campaign will culminate with the Franz Beckenbauer Supercup, a domestic curtain‑raiser against Bayern Munich. Each fixture offers Niko Kovac a chance to fine‑tune tactics ahead of the Bundesliga season. Expect a blend of experience and emerging talent as Dortmund prepares for the challenges ahead.