Borussia Dortmund Kicks Off Preseason Training

First Week Focus on Foundation Work

The players gathered under sunny skies at Dortmund‑Brackel, where temperatures hit 28 °C, prompting a water break after roughly 45 minutes of drills. All 22 field players thanked the timing of the pause as they worked on the grass. The session marked the start of a two‑day preparation block that began with mandatory performance tests the day before. Head coach Niko Kovac’s squad is still missing injured captain Emre Can and several World Cup participants who are on holiday.

Youth Integration and New Faces

In addition to the established group—including Serhou Guirassy, Fabio Silva, Jobe Bellingham and Yan Couto—eleven academy prospects joined the first‑team practice squad. Summer signings Joane Gadou, a 19‑year‑old centre‑back, and Justin Lerma, an 18‑year‑old midfielder, made their team debut with noticeable enthusiasm. Julian Ryerson, who missed the Norway quarter‑final, is cleared to resume after his holiday, while the World Cup‑absentees are still enjoying break time. The blend of senior players and young talents is intended to strengthen depth for the upcoming campaign.

Coach Niko Kovac’s assistant, Robert Kovac, oversaw the initial water break, and sporting director Lars Ricken later praised the atmosphere during a media chat. Ricken highlighted the plan to lay a solid base before the season opener against FC Bayern in the Super Cup on 22 August. Meanwhile, board spokesman Carsten Cramer and sporting director Ole Book observed the drills, underlining the club’s full‑team focus on preseason shape.

Coaching Goals and On‑field Demands

From the opening whistle, the emphasis was on ball control, moving quickly from coordination drills to tight passing circuits and small‑sided contests. In the second half, Niko Kovac pushed the youngsters through transition exercises and shooting drills, repeatedly shouting “Speed, speed, speed.” The top talents Mathis Albert and Samuele Inacio, who featured in last season’s Bundesliga, tested the goalkeepers Alexander Meyer and Patrick Drewes with several sharp attempts. Their performance signaled early scoring intent ahead of the competitive fixtures.

Training lasted just under two hours, with multiple media outlets watching. The next sessions are scheduled in Dortmund‑Brackel before Saturday’s 5 p.m. friendly against Regionalliga side Rot‑Weiß Oberhausen. Fans can also anticipate the season‑opener on 15 August, where Borussia Dortmund will face AS Roma in a high‑profile friendly, with both the men’s team and the BVB Women—featuring new signing Alexandra Popp—taking the pitch at SIGNAL IDUNA PARK.

Preseason Schedule and Upcoming Friendlies

The pre‑season plan includes daily workouts through the week, culminating in the Oberhausen match on Saturday. The club’s women’s squad will open their schedule at Rote Erde Stadium at 1 p.m., followed by the men’s side at 5 p.m. against the Italian club. Tickets for both fixtures are available through the official online shop, giving supporters a chance to experience the new-look Borussia Dortmund up close.

What This Means for the Season

By stressing speed and integrating youth players early, Niko Kovac is laying a tactical foundation that should translate into a faster, more fluid Bundesliga performance. The presence of emerging talents like Mathis Albert and Samuele Inacio suggests depth on the flanks and in the attacking third, areas where Dortmund often seeks improvement. Adding Joel Gadou and Justin Lerma strengthens the backline and midfield, addressing previous season’s defensive concerns. Overall, the disciplined preseason signals a cohesive unit aiming to build on last year’s results and challenge for silverware.