Our next opponents: New start with Terzic – and a striker problem

Position

BVB easily overcame the first hurdle in the DFB Cup. After the 3-0 win away to third division TSV 1860 Munich, Dortmund’s head coach Edin Terzic was happy with “a very dominant and mature” approach from his team. The Black and Yellows tamed the Lions from the start. The visitors led 3-0 at half-time thanks to goals from Donyell Malen, Jude Bellingham and Karim Adeyemi. “Our body language was right from the start, we followed that up and were rewarded with three really good goals,” declared Terzic, the successor – and predecessor – to Marco Rose. In the six months as caretaker coach, Terzic took Borussia into the Champions League qualifiers and won the DFB Cup in 2020/21. The 39-year-old then worked as technical director at his favourite club. Now the club is looking for a new start with Terzic and legendary assistant coach Peter Hermann (70) at his side after the unsatisfactory campaign last season. You have to “produce new friction to create new attraction,” declared CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke. Not everything went to plan in the pre-season, with BVB losing friendlies against Valencia (1-3) and Villarreal (0-2), but the team performed well and impressed in the first competitive match away to 1860 Munich. Dortmund played their final pre-season friendly the next day with a completely different line-up but were only able to draw 1-1 with top-flight Turkish side Antalyaspor (goalscorer: Julian Brandt).

Personnel

The BVB squad was settled in good time for the new campaign, and it is very strong once again. The signing of central defender Niklas Süle (26) from league rivals Bayern Munich was announced early this year. His young Germany team-mate Nico Schlotterbeck (22) from SC Freiburg and Karim Adeyemi (20) from RB Salzburg were signed soon after that. Schlotterbeck had a sensational season with Freiburg and the lightning-fast Adeyemi stood out as goalscorer and provider at Salzburg. He also netted on his international debut for Germany against Armenia last year.

In midfield, Borussia brought in Salih Özcan (24) from FC Köln, an aggressive, hard-running enforcer par excellence. Finally, there was a replacement for Erling Haaland, who signed for Manchester City – after being the top scorer for BVB in the last two seasons – in the former Frankfurt player Sebastien Haller (28). The Ivorian and international team-mate of Odilon Kossounou scored eleven goals for Ajax in the Champions League in 2021/22. There was a huge shock for the club when Haller was diagnosed with aggressive testicular cancer in the preseason. The new signing had to undergo a course of chemotherapy and will be sidelined for several months. The absence of the striker means that Dortmund will probably have to go back to the transfer market. “Now we have to rely on Youssoufa Moukoko – the lad is only 17 – that might be a bit too much,” said CEO Watzke and he announced: “I think we still have to do something.” Moukoko, the great talent from our youth section, played as a lone striker against 1860 in the cup, but also crossed from the flanks for Donyell Malen and Karim Adeyemi. It is also possible that coach Terzic may opt for a front two against the Werkself on Saturday. Thorgan Hazard is in the frame alongside Moukoko, Malen and Adeyemi. BVB will have to manage without Niklas Süle against Bayer 04 after he suffered a muscle injury in the cup game at Grünwalder Straße. He was replaced by Mats Hummels who did a great job in the second half. Salih Özcan is still recovering from a bruised foot but could be in the squad on Saturday.

Performers

The Black and Yellows remain impressive in terms of the power up front. Dortmund scored 85 goals last term – more than ever before in the Bundesliga. Even without Erling Haaland, BVB will still have great pace up front with players like Malen, Adeyemi, Hazard, Moukoko, Marco Reus and Julian Brandt, technical brilliance and a huge goal threat. Jude Bellingham plays a key role in the BVB game. The 19-year-old Englishman, known as a solid tackler and technically gifted provider and goalscorer (21 goals and assists in 44 games last term), is already a key player. And Giovanni Reyna (19), sidelined for a long time, made his comeback against Antalyspor, is one the main threats up fron for Borussia. That also includes prospect on the wing Jamie Bynoe-Gittens (17). The talent from the U19s, who won the Germany U19 title this year, has already gained experience with the first team. The anything but solid defence of last season has achieved a higher level with the signing of the central defensive partners Süle and Schlotterbeck.   

Problems

How can BVB compensate for the absence of Sebastian Haller? The club will now have to look for a suitable alternative target striker of his class as soon as possible.

Prediction

The expectations of the fans remain high. Head coach Edin Terzic is the bog role model for many Dortmund supporters. Terzic and the high-quality new signings plus the successful start to the season have caused the first wave of euphoria at BVB. It is fair to say that Borussia are in a position to challenge for the title this season. Sporting director Sebastian Kehl, who is following in the footsteps of his predecessor Michael Zorc, has sounded a warning: “We have a new, very young coach and a lot of young and highly talented lads who have to prove their value and potential at this level first. The majority of these players are still right at the start.” A winning start in front of a full house against the Werkself, having suffered a painful 5-2 defeat in February of this year, would provide a boost for the new regime.